Lahore, 25 Nov: Three more matches were decided in Pakistan Premier Football League on Thursday. HBL failed to take revenge of first leg defeat against KPT and once again went down in front of 1-2 at Peoples Sports Complex, Mauripur Road, Lyari Town, Karachi. The identical scoreline was recorded when PEL struck once in each session to beat Afghan FC 2-1 at Govt. High School, Chaman.
Nushki’s local outfit Baloch FC gathered full three points without entering into field when their opponents PAF, champions 24 years ago, failed to turn up Nushki Football Stadium. The match was awarded 3-0 to Baloch Nuskhi as a walkover.
NFCC Champions in 1990, Portmen thought they might get it here when veteran Shahid Salim gave them a 10th-minute lead with as stunning 25-metre free-kick, and the feeling was reinforced when HBL keeper produced a stunning save to keep out Muhammad bin Yiounus well-struck kick in the 14th minute. KPT however, eventually gained their reward for what the coach Asif, admitted was “perseverance rather than quality”.
Shahid Salim, 34, was provider for the second, controlling well on the edge of the box, turning inside and crossing from right flank for Zahid Ahmed whose 18th minute diving header rolled past Syed Dilawar Hussain. It was seventh goal for Zahid in the event. Shahid was also a scorer in first leg 3-0 win in September.
KPT have never won the National title holder, finishing fourth in 2004, 2007 and 2008, fifth in 2006, 2009, and eighth in 2005.KPT managed ten wins in 19 matches with 34 points. They led 2-0 at interval while the bankers pulled one back in the 46th minute through Aurangzeb Blaoch, who represented Pakistan U23 Team in 16th Asian Games at China. HBL still at the bottom with nine points, 13 defeats and nine points in 20 encounters.
Riaz Ahmed’s first goal for PEL in the 35th minute at Chaman was all his own work when he fired home from 30 yards with Jehangir Khan glued to the spot. Midfielder Waheed Hameed, a product of PFF Youth Development Scheme, consolidated the lead in the 71st minute.
Afghan went all out in quest of leveller and their repeated pressure allowed them a penalty-kick and midfielder Abdul Hadi won the hearts of big fans with neat drive past Saqib Hanif. However, Afghan failed to add another as PEL managed historical win.
Friday (26 Nov) Fixtures: PIA v PMC Athletico (Sharafi Goth’s Korangi Baloch Stadium, Landhi Town 3 PM), SSGC v Young Blood( KPT – Benazir Sports Complex, West Wharf Road, Kharadar, Karachi 3 PM)