Lahore, 22 April: Two-Times Champion Pakistan Army joined Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in the last four stage of 21st National Bank Football Cup on Friday. They brushed aside newly-created Ashraf Sugar Mills (ASM) of Bahawalpur 2-0 with Jaffar Khan, former Skipper of Pakistan, was in splendid form.
ASM had a distress event last year but recovered quickly under former Railway’s player Umar Farooq and earned the title of Giant Killer in the 16-team show whose final will be played at Bohranwali Ground on Wednesday at 3.30 PM.
ASM, who lost to KRL 0-7, KESC 0-8 and HBL 0-3 last year, caused sensation and showed themselves a team of future in domestic soccer of Pakistan and they stunned NBP and WAPDA unit to keep leadership in their group and sent WAPDA and Navy to a penalty kick session – the first ever during league campaign in Pakistan domestic.
Goalkeeper and captain Jaffar Khan put Army ahead when he steered the penalty kick in in the 16th minute. Army led 1–0 at interval and doubled the margin in the 59th minute when striker Muhammad Ikram punished a defensive blunder. ASM might have scored in the 89th minute but Muhammad Asif failed to beat Jaffar from the penalty-mark. Jaffar deflected the ball with his right hand. The ball kissed the upright and went out of safety.
Army will take on KRL in first semi final on Sunday while PIA will face winner of KESC/WAPDA on Monday.
3rd Quarterfinal Match # 27 Played between ASM and Army: Match won by Army 0 – 2
Ground: Bohranwali Football Ground
Scorer: Shirt # 1 Jaffar Khan 16 min on PK. Shirt # 35 Ikram, 59 min
Caution: 19 Sherjeel Vicky, YC 63 min and 12 Mickal YC 90 min
Match Commissioner: Mr.Ahmed Ali
Referee Assessor: Mr. Qazi M. Asif
Referees: Waheed Murad, Jehangir Khan, Rana Naseer Ahmed, Mian Shahbaz
Fourth Quarter Finals
23 April: KESC v WAPDA (Bohranwali Ground 4 PM)