Lahore, 13 October: PEL recorded authoritative 2-0 win over Baloch FC at Model Town Football Academy Ground, Lahore in the Pakistan Premier Football League 2010 on Wednesday. The team under management of Tahir Maqsood was involved in dull first half that ended 0-0 but occupied midfielder superiority in the second session to bang two sparkling goals. PEL played the match without coach Asghar Anjum, away to Punjab Stadium for a Coaches Meet with former Spurs defender Graham Roberts.
PEL landed opener in the 64th minute when Muhammad Shaire cut the ball in from right wing and skipper Asmat Ullah pushed the ball home with first time tickle leaving Nushki’s keeper and captain Sher Zaman in no man’s land. Winger Waqas Ahmed consolidated the lead in the 71st minute when he controlled a long ball on his right foot and slammed the ball into left corner via Sher Zaman’s hands.
Meanwhile in other matches of the day, PIA, KESC and PMC were victorious. Former Pakistani skipper Haroon Yousuf won the day for PMC Athletico Club as he slammed both the goals in 2-1 win over SSGC at PMC Football Ground, Faisalabad. It was PMC’s third win in the show with Mandi Bahauddin –born Haroon getting the opener as early as fifth minutes and doubled the margin in the injury time of first half. PMC led 2-0 at interval and suffered anxious moments when lanky striker Asim Faiz pulled one back for home time two minutes after re start. But for the rest of the match PMC remained firm and cautious and never allowed another goal to Karachi team who returned back to top League for the first time since 2003. SSGC had mediocre event so far and they are still winless after nine matches.
Essa -led KESC managed their third win when they inflicted 2-1 win over Navy at Municipal Stadium, Saidpur Road, Satellite Town, Rawalpindi. All the goals of the exciting matched emerged in the second session after listless first half that produced no goal. The visitors from Karachi stopped the goal draught when midfielder Ahmed moved in from left wing and sliced the ball past Ishaq Ahmed’s out stretched hands. But fast-moving Navy winger Asif Bakhsh restored parity in the 61st minute, giving keeper Muhammad Omar no chance with fierce angular drive. But KESC regained advantage when striker Muhammad Rasool fired the winner three minutes from time.
KRL suffered their second defeat and allowed PIA to grip third spot with 18 points, behind WAPDA (25 pts) and Afghan FC (20 pts). Holder from Rawalpindi, lost 1-3 at Municipal Stadium, Saidpur Road, Satellite Town, Rawalpindi. Nine timer National Champions PIA dominated the proceeding right from the words go and came out victors with impressive win. Their skipper played efficient playmaker role besides scoring the opener in the 18th minute with superb drive past keeper Asim Khurshid. PIA led 1-0 at breather had suffered frustration when KRL’s wing full back Muhammad Shahid went on an overlap and returned back with sweetly-timed goal in the 59th minute. Winger Zeeshan Ali gave sigh of relief to Tariq Lutfi with a stunning goal in the 65th minute and it was left to SAG Gold medallist Shakir Lashari to hammer his first goal of the event in the 77th minute as PIA jumped to third slot with 3-1 win.
Thursday (14 October) Fixture:
WAPDA v HBL (Railway Stadium, Garhi Shahue, Lahore 3.30 PM)
Young Blood v Afghan FC (Rai Ali Nawaz Stadium, near Fareed Town Police Station, Sahiwal 3.30 PM)
Army v NBP (Municipal Stadium, Saidpur Road, Satellite Town, Rawalpindi 3.30 PM)
PAF v KPT (Qayyum Stadium, near Saddar, Bara Road, Peshawar Cantt 3.30 PM)