The 7th HBL Karachi United Schools Championship 2011-12 could not have asked for a better finale today 22 January 2012. In front of a capacity crowd at the Baloch Mujahid Stadium (Ibrahim Hyderi, Karachi), and Geo Super providing national TV coverage, Nixor College came from 0-2 down at half time to stun The City School – PAF Chapter 3-2 in extra-time to be crowned champions.
Before the final, Aga Khan Higher Secondary School (AKHSS) won 3rd place after beating St. Patrick’s High School 1-0 thanks to Yasir Shah’s lone goal at same venue in earlier kick-off.
Nixor College captain Kareem Kerai was in inspirational form for his side as they overcame a stiff challenge from City School PAF in the KUSC final, which kicked off at 2 PM PST with 2 halves of 35 minutes each. City School PAF battled hard against their much-fancied rivals to go 2-0 up at half-time. A goal each from captain Naveed Subhan (18′) and Muhammad Afridi (29′) gave City School PAF a remarkable lead before the break with Nixor’s defence in tatters.
Nixor College came back strongly in 2nd half, as they bossed possession and went on all-out attack orchestrated by team captain – and Karachi United FC star – Kareem Kerai as he scored from 20 yards out in 41st minute to reduce the deficit to 2-1. The goal gave Nixor College an added boost as they kept pilling pressure on City School PAF’s defence. Muhammad Afridi had the chance to end it all in last 5 minutes but he missed a glorious one-on-one chance that could have made City School PAF go 3-1 up.
Deep in stoppage time, Nixor College won a penalty due to hand-ball by a TCS PAF defender during a corner-kick. Kareem Kerai stepped up but TCS PAF goalkeeper Waleed Sherdil saved his penalty, only for Nixor striker Muzammil Farishta quickly scoring from the rebound to equalise and made the Nixor students go wild in 71st minute.
The 2-2 score forced extra time with 2 halves of 7 and a half minutes each. Nixor College again struck as Muzammil Farishta’s speculative cross got an unfortunate deflection of City School PAF defender and Waleed Sherdil failed to keep the ball from crossing the line – although replays showed otherwise. Nixor’s 3-2 lead remained in extra time as City School PAF failed to overcome the pressure as Nixor College were deservingly crowned champions at the final whistle.
Referees were Adnan Khan, Habib Ullah, Farrukh Riaz, Babar Khan, match commissioner Abdul Karim, and referees inspector Mohammad Shamim.
The post-match ceremony was attended by chief guest Brig. (Retd) Musarat Ullah Khan, Divisional Head of Sports for Habib Bank Ltd. who handed in the prizes to teams and players.
Nixor College won gold, TCS PAF won silver, and Aga Khan School won bronze medals. Nixor College captain Kareem Kerai won both Man of the Match and KUSC 2011-12 Best Player awards for his outstanding leadership and football skills, Nixor coach Muhammad Ali Maam was given Best Coach award, and TCS PAF striker Shabir Ali Rizvi got ‘Golden Boot’ award with his 8 goals in KUSC 2011-12.
Also in attendance were Sindh FA vice-president and DFA Malir president Fateh Muhammad Baloch, DFA East Vice President Syed Usman Shah, Karachi United Football Foundation (KUFF) Director Adeel Rizki, and HBL Head of Media Nadia Jaffar. KUFF directors Taha Alizai, Imran Ali, Furqan Ali, Khowaja Ubaid Ilyas and KUSC Organising Secretary Riaz Ahmed were also present.