Baloch Mohammadan (Malir) fought hard to overcome Irfan Memorial (Landhi) with a cagey 1-0 win in a Group A clash in the 2012 Engro Vopak Football League yesterday 1 March 2012 at Jam Stadium Malir (Karachi).
Baloch Mohammadan and Irfan Memorial traded chances throughout the game but their respective goalkeepers denied the strikers each time from scoring as the game was an even 0-0 at half time.
Baloch Mohammadan’s attack of young KPT striker Amir Oghani, Ahmed Lal, Roshan Aziz, Imran Hassan failed to beat Irfan Memorial goalkeeper Naveed Baloch. Likewise for Irfan Memorial as their strikers Abdullah, M Zubair, Afzal Baloch, and Shahbaz Samoo failed to beat Baloch Mohammadan goalie Abdul Latif.
In 2nd half, the match intensified as Roshan Aziz failed to score from a golden opportunity with Naveed Baloch way off his line in 48th minute. Baloch Mohammadan won a 77th minute when Irfan Memorial defender M Azhar fouled Ahmed Lal in the box. But Irfan Memorial substitute golakeeper Kamran Khan superbly denied ex-international M Umar’s spot kick to keep it 0-0.
In 85th minute, Baloch Mohammadan finally broke the deadlock when a cross from captain Ahmed Lal was superbly headed home by young Amir Oghani to make it 1-0. In final scampering minutes, Irfan Memorial almost equalised with Abdullah hitting the post and Baloch Mohammadan defence managing to twice clear the rebound as the game finished 1-0 in their favour.
Referees were Abdul Ghafoor, Ahmed Mian, Shaukat Hussain, Arif Hameed, and match commissioner Abdul Karim. Baloch Mohammadan striker Amir Oghani was given Rs 500 Man of the Match cash award by DFA East member M Jamil.
The win boosted Baloch Mohammadan’s chances of reaching the Top 8 stage as they went to 10 points from 4 games while Irfan Memorial remained at 4 points from 4 games.
On Saturday, 3 March 2012, Baloch Mohammadan face Young Tughlaq.