The 9th UBL Omni Karachi United Football League 2011-12 came to its decisive conclusion yesterday night at a jam-packed Baloch Mujahid Stadium in Ibrahim Hyderi, Karachi.
Burma Mohammadan (Korangi) defied all odds to beat favourites Karachi United in the final after a gruelling penalty shoot-out, and be crowned KFL champions. The match finished 0-0 after a total of 120 minutes as both sides failed to score in regular and extra times.
Karachi United did win a penalty in normal time but star Rehan Munir’s kick was expertly saved by Burma Mohammadan captain and ex-KPT goalkeeper Abdul Ghani. In the shoot-out Burma Mohammadan kept their nerve as they won 4-2 in the end and were crowned KFL champions for the first time.
Earlier, Kalri Star (Lyari) finished 3rd after a 1-0 win over Korangi Baloch (Sharafi) thanks to Gul Sher’s lone goal.
Referees were Javed Bangash, Habibullah, Babar Khan, Ibrar Hussain, Saeed Khan, M Kamran, and match commissioner Abdul Karim.
A total of 122 matches were played: 90 matches featuring 2 groups of 10 teams, followed by an 8 team ‘super league’ round with a further 28 matches, and 4 games in knock-out round. A total of 379 goals were scored, with 15 hat-tricks including 2 from Rehan Munir.
The final was attended by chief guest Mustafa Ramzan, UBL Omni Marketing Head, who met the finalists and then handed out prizes at the end. Burma Mohammadan pocketed Rs 100,000 and winners trophy, Karachi United getting Rs 50,000 2nd place trophy, and Kalri Star getting Rs 20,000 and 3rd place trophy.
Burma Mohammadan star Muhammad Jaffar winning Rs 10,000 Best Player award, Rehan Munir getting Rs 10,000 Top Scorer award after 17 goals. Former KFL champs Baloch Youth FC (Garden) won the Rs 10,000 Fair Play Trophy. Karachi United Adeel Rizki and Muhammad Shehzad won the respective Best Coach and Best Goalkeeper prizes. Abdul Karim won Best Match Commissioner, Saeed Khan won Best Referee, Babar Khan won Best Assistant Referee, and Zain ul Abideen (Korangi Baloch) won Emerging Player award.
Chief guest Mustafa Ramzan also spoke on the occasion, praising Karachi United Foundation for organising the 9th edition of the Karachi Football League, and promised UBL Omni’s annual support to KUFF for organising further KFL editions. Mr Ramzan also said that such events bring new football talent up as people from all backgrounds are united for their love of football.
Also present MR. Mushtaq Ahmed, Director at Sindh Sports Board, Mr. Fateh Mohammad Baloch Vice President Sindh FA, KUFF Director Imran Ali and others from the various DFAs of Karachi.