Alam Zeb Safi [The News]
Wednesday, 12 Sept 2012
KARACHI: Skipper Mohammad Essa hit a goal and contributed to another as Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) whipped Navy 3-0, while Pakistan Air Force (PAF) stunned former champions Army 1-0 in the 9th Pakistan Premier Football League on Tuesday.
Here at the KPT Stadium, KESC played extremely well against Navy who showed great weaknesses in both frontline and defence.
Essa was the star performer for KESC who not only provided the winners lead in the 44th minute but also fed Mohammad Rasool with a cross which the Chitral-born striker guided into the net in the 78th minute.
They were joined on the scoresheet by substitute Abid Ghafoor with a goal in the 71st minute.
It was an open game with both sides making concerted efforts, but KESC had an upper hand on the lush green pitch which was not affected by heavy downpour in the afternoon.
KESC’s main forward Rasool once again disappointed the management, squandering two easy chances in the initial few minutes.
In the 20th minute, young midfielder Mohammad Riaz could have put KESC on the front foot but his header was cleared by a defender.
In the 32nd minute, Mohammad Moosa failed to strike for the visitors KESC when his weak drive from short range went off the target.
In the 42nd minute, Navy could have broken the ice but Sajjad Ahmed failed to connect rightly a minus pass from the left.
KESC struck through Essa in the 44th minute when he placed the ball from distance in the far post with clinical precision. “I saw that there was a gap and placed it which went straight into the far post,” Essa told ‘The News’.
At half time, KESC were leading 1-0. After the breather, KESC looked in terrific mood but the frontline, particularly Rasool, failed to convert several chances. “I am not completely fit and feel that I should score more goals for the team,” Rasool said.
KESC doubled their lead in the 71st minute in a dramatic fashion. Essa found Rasool in front of the goal and his mistimed shot was intercepted by Abid Ghafoor before he smashed it past the Navy’s keeper.
Seven minutes latter, Rasool was lucky to strike on a cross from Essa. At this stage, Navy got a couple of chances, but KESC keeper Jehangir Shah did a fine job under the cage.
KESC coach Akbar Baloch was delighted by the outcome. “I am extremely happy as the way the boys are going shows that we will finish at a decent place,” Akbar said.
“But we want to see Rasool in form while Essa has shown today that he is still the country’s best midfielder,” said coach.
Navy’s assistant manager Mohammad Shafique admitted that his team looked weak in the frontline. “We missed four to six chances and that was the reason behind our defeat,” the coach said. “Our two top young players Naveed Ahmad and Mohsin were suspended for double bookings, which affected our performance,” he said.
At the Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad, Arif Nawaz’s solitary strike in the 81st minute guided PAF to a 1-0 victory over Army. “We played fine game and had we not missed a few chances the result could have been better,” PAF coach Mohammad Arshad said.
Here at the People’s Sports Complex, National Bank held Habib Bank to a 1-1 draw with Mohammad Ibrahim scoring for HBL in the 13th minute and Misbahul Hasan bringing the parity in the 36th minute for NBP.
Muslim FC Chaman stunned neighbours Afghan FC Chaman 2-1 in Quetta. Hayatullah scored a brace for the winners, while Himmat Khan struck for the losers.
9th Pakistan Premier Football League-2012(9th PPFL-2012)
Match Result (Tuesday, September 11, 2012)
Match # 17
Muslim FC beat Afghan FC 2:1 @ 1600 PST @ Sadiq Shaheed Football Stadium, Quetta, Pakistan
Scorer Muslim FC: Hayat Ullah (MF) 2 Goals @ 38 and 87 Mnts.
Scorer Afghan FC: Himmat Khan (FW) 1 Goal @ 79 Mnt.
Yellow Card Muslim FC: Abdul Hafeez @ 43 Mnt.
Yellow Card Afghan FC: Fazal Rehman @ 43 Mnt.
Red Card: Fazal Rehman @ 46 Mnt.
Best Player: Hayat Ullah of Muslim FC
Higher Scorer: Hayat Ullah of Muslim FC
Match Commissioner: G.M. Samad Cell # 0333-7828087
Match # 18
PAF beat Army 1:0 @ 1600 PST @ Army Stadium, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Scorer PAF: Arif Nawaz (MF) 1 Goal @ 81 Mnt.
Yellow Card Army: Riaz @ 87 Mnt.
Best Player: Irfan Ali (MF) of PAF
Higher Scorer: Arif Nawaz (MF) of PAF
Match Commissioner: Zaman Khan Cell # 0300-5343428
Match # 19
KESC beat Navy 3:0 @ 1600 PST @ KPT Football Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan
Scorer KESC: Muhammad Essa 1 Goal @ 44 Mnt, Abid Ghafoor 1 Goal @ 71 Mnt and Muhammad Rasool 1 Goal @ 78 Mnt.
Best Player: Muhammad Essa of KESC
Match Commissioner: Abdul Shakoor Baloch Cell # 0321-9299986
Match # 20
HBL Vs NBP 1:1 draw @ 1600 PST @ Peoples Football Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan
Scorer HBL: Muhammad Ibrahim (FW) 1 Goal @ 13 Mnt.
Scorer NBP: Misbah-ul-Hussain (DF) 1 Goal @ 36 Mnt.
Yellow Card HBL: Adil Sakhee @ 39 Mnt.
Yellow Card NBP: Waseem Qadir @ 64 Mnt.
Best Player: Misbah-ul-Hussain of HBL
Match Commissioner: Ali Nawaz Baloch Cell # 03002146038
Tomorrow 9th PPFL-2012 Fixture :( Wednesday, September 12, 2012)
Match # 21 PMC FC Vs Wohaib FC @ 1600 PST @ PMC Football Ground, Faisalabad