KARACHI: Afghan FC defeated NBP 2-1 and HBL outplayed Police by the same margin in the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) yesterday.
NBP’s Abdul Hafeez took advantage of Mohammad Tahir’s foul and scored the first goal in the 28th minute through a penalty kick. However, the home team failed to maintain their lead and fouled four minutes later much to the delight of Afghan FC’s Abdul Hadi, who equalised in the 33rd minute via the match’s second penalty kick.
Tempers seem to have cooled in the second-half with Afghan FC captain Jadeed Khan sealing the win with his goal in the 58th minute.
Afghan FC are now placed fourth with 18 points after nine matches while NBP sit fifth after 10 matches.
According to the Afghan FC captain, playing in Karachi has been a tough task for his team.
“We feel the pressure playing here because of things we hear about Karachi,” Khan told The Express Tribune. “Apart from the law-and-order situation, I don’t feel the same energy from the crowd. Quetta is smaller than Karachi but still we manage to attract bigger crowds. In Karachi we try to give our best but we don’t feel that our performance is appreciated.”
In the other match, HBL’s Mohammad Asif scored the winning goal in the 18th minute helping his team move to the third spot with 21 points.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 21st, 2011.