KARACHI: Leaders Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) recovered from two goals down to hold two-time defending champions Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) to a 2-2 draw in the 9th Pakistan Premier Football League on Sunday, while Chaman’s Muslim FC defeated Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) 2-1.
At the Railways Stadium in Lahore, KESC, who have been splendid this season, once again proved themselves a mature side when they recovered to hold KRL, who have recently returned from the AFC President’s Cup final round in Tajikistan and have managed only draws in the last couple of matches.
KESC skipper Mohammad Essa termed his team’s fightback against a tough side a good sign. “I think the way we bounced back after going 0-2 down was splendid and good for the future of the team,” Essa told ‘The News’ after an exciting finish. “You know I am nursing a knee injury but when I saw that my team got 2-0 down, I decided to go in and we were able to score both the goals in the last 30 minutes,” the former Pakistan captain said.
“KRL looked completely off-colour during the last 20 minutes and during that time we also got two open net chances but Moosa and Akbar wasted them,” Essa said.
Yasir Afridi put KRL ahead in the 28th minute before Hasnain Abbas doubled their lead in the 51st minute.
KESC fought back strongly through a double from Chitral-born striker Mohammad Rasool who netted goals in the 74th and the 80th minutes thanks to assistance from skipper Essa.
The single point moved KESC to 23 points from 11 games, while KRL inflated their tally to 16 from eight meetings.
At the Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad, Muslim FC produced their fourth win, outgunning ZTBL to take their points to 18 from 12 matches.
ZTBL got onto the scoresheet through Izharullah in the 24th minute. Muslim FC, who finished sixth last season, made a strong recovery as Hayatullah scored a brace in the 39th and the 57th minutes. With the loss, ZTBL trail at seven points from nine meetings.
Muslim FC coach Mohammad Dawood hailed his team’s comeback. “I think it was a great comeback. When you go down, it always puts you in pressure but the way we controlled our nerves and put the rivals in trouble was spectacular. Hayatullah once again played extremely well,” Dawood said.
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) engineered their fourth victory by overcoming a truncated Afghan FC of Chaman 2-1 at the PAF Complex Ground in Peshawar.
Afghan FC took the lead through Abdul Samad in the fourth minute. But a brace from Mansoor Khan in the 19th and the 45th minutes turned the table in favour of the hosts PAF who with the victory stretched their points to 15 from 10 appearances.
Afghan FC are reeling at four points from eight outings. They have been plagued by internal politics which forced the management to drop most of the senior players for this season.
Lahore’s Wohaib Club surprised Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) with a goalless draw at the UMT Ground in Lahore. “Wohaib Club played the whole 90 minutes in defensive manner and it was not easy for us to sneak through,” PIA coach Shamim Khan said. “Their ground was small, which created problems for us. Besides, our main striker Shakir Lashari and defender Haji Mohammad are injured. We have also lost our regular scorer Ali Adeem Shehzad for the whole season as he has undergone a back surgery a few days back,” revealed Shamim.
PIA, with the single point, advanced to 14 points from 10 matches, while Wohaib Club inflated their tally to three from eight meetings.
Today’s fixtures: Army v Baloch FC (Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad), WAPDA v KPT (Railways Stadium Lahore), PMC Athletico v HBL: (PMC Ground, Faisalabad).
Source: Alam Zeb Safi [The News]
9th Pakistan Premier Football League-2012(9th PPFL-2012)
Match Results (Sunday, October 07, 2012)
Match # 76
PAF beat Afghan FC 2:1 @ 1500 PST @ PAF Complex Ground, Peshawar, Pakistan
Scorer PAF: Mansoor (FW) 2 Goals @ 19, 45 Mnts.
Scorer Afghan FC: Abdul Samad 1 Goal @ 4 Mnt.
Yellow Card PAF: Irfan Ali (MF) @ 38 Mnt and Muhammad Waseem Shahzad (MF) @ 77 Mnt.
Yellow Card Afghan FC: Khan Junior (MF) @ 56 Mnt and Amal Khan (MF) @ 74 Mnt.
Best Player: Mansoor (FW) of PAF
Best Scorer: Muhammad Mujahid (FW) of PAF
Match Commissioner: Syed Imtiaz Ali Shah Cell # 0300-58545782
Match # 77
Muslim FC beat ZTBL 2:1 @ 1530 PST @ Jinnah Football Stadium, Islamabad, Pakistan
Scorer Muslim FC: Hayat Ullah (MF) 2 Goals @ 36, 75 Mnts.
Scorer ZTBL: Izhar Ullah (FW) 1 Goal @ 30 Mnt.
Yellow Card Muslim FC: Hikmat Ullah @ 56 Mnt.
Yellow Card: ZTBL: Adnan (MF) @ 59 Mnt.
Best Player: Saeed Ahmed (FW) of Muslim FC
Best Scorer: Hayat Ullah (MF) of Muslim FC
Match Commissioner: Zaman Khan Cell # 0300-9003002
Match # 78
KRL Vs KESC 2:2 Draw @ 1530 PST @ Railway Football Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan
Scorer KRL: Yasir Afridi (DF) 1 Goal @ 28 Mnt and Hussain Abbas (MF) 1 Goal @ 61 Mnt.
Scorer KESC: Muhammad Rasool (FW) 2 Goals @ 74, 80 Mnts.
Yellow Card KRL: Saddam Hussain (MF) @ 76 Mnt.
Yellow Card KESC: Abid Ghafoor (MF) @ 35 Mnt, Jahangir Shah (Goalkeeper) @ 37 Mnt and Kafiat Ullah (DF) @ 42 Mnt.
Best Player: Kaleem Ullah (FW) of KRL
Best Scorer: Muhammad Rasool (FW) of KESC
Match Commissioner: Rasheed Mahmood Khan Cell # 0333-4349648
Match # 79
Wohaib FC Vs PIA 0:0 Draw@ 1530 PST @ UMT Ground, Lahore, Pakistan
Best Player: Ali (FW) of Wohaib FC
Match Commissioner: Naseem-ud-Din Cell # 0311-7198583
Tomorrow 9th PPFL-2012 Fixture :( Monday, October 08, 2012)
Match # 80 Army Vs Baloch FC @ 1500 PST @ Army Stadium, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Match # 81 WAPDA Vs KPT @ 1530 PST @ Railway Football Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan
Match # 82 PMC Athletico Vs HBL @ 1530 PST @ PMC Ground, Faisalabad, Pakistan