Lahore, 5 November;: PIA drew 1-1 with KESC in the 138th match of Pakistan Remier Football League at Korangi Baloch Stadium, Sharafi, Karachi on Friday. Both the goals of the four-yellow card match were appeared in the first half. And the single point airmen earned from the clash took them to third place in the league behind league topper WAPDA and second-placed Pakistan Army who managed 47 and 36 points respectively in 18 matches. PIA and KRL pocketed 30 points but PIA have better goal counts PIA earned eight wins in 17 matches making 30 points with goal counts 23-14.
It was second leg between two famous outfits. The first leg saw PIA winning 1-0 through Husnain Abbas goal at Peoples Sports Complex Karachi on 25 September. Husnain also showed his striking ability in second leg. PIA, missing manger Tariq Lutfi due to SAFF Championship commitment, started the game well, creating the game’s first chance in the fifth minute when skipper Nasr Ullah Khan provided a cross for Muhammad Ishtiaq, playing his first league for PIA after transfer from HBL, who shoot wide from 20 yards. But a minute later, ball was in PIA’s net leaving keeper Abu Bakar in no man’s land as KESC seasoned winger Aurangzeb Sr slipped the ball past Abu Bakar with well-timed low drive in the 20th minute. The player produced through Salma Soccer Series, Orangzeb became second best scorer for KESC alongwith Muhammad Essa with six goals after Muhammad Rasool – 7.
PIA went all out and reduced the deficit through Hasnain Abbas, playing first first league for PIA after rendering services for PMC in previous years. He cut in from right flank and left keeper Muhammad Omer – a goal medalist in second SFL for Karachi Energy, no chance deep into first half. It was 1-1 at interval while second half remained barren.
Both the teams were also interested in rough tackling and Referee Shifaat Habib (Army) brought the things under control by lifting four Yellow cards – twice to both teams Abdul Ghaffar, Saeed Ahmed ( PIA) and Abdul Rehman, Muhammad Moosa ( KESC).
Saturday 6 November Fixture
SSGC v AFGHAN FC KPT Stadium (KHI)
HBL v Baloch Club (NUSHKI) Peoples Football Stadium (KHI)
Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) also announced changed Kick-off time of the coming sixteen Lahore-based matches of Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) due to fading lights and poor visibility in closing minutes of matches as well as regularly cloudy weather in different part of Pakistan. The kick-off time has been revised and from Sunday, matches will be played at 2.30 PM instead of 3 PM.
The remaining 16 matches to be played at Lahore, Sahiwal and Faisalabad will start with new timing of 2.30 PM Kick-off :
7 Nov : WAPDA v PAF (Railway Stadium, Lahore), Young Blood FC v Navy (Rai Ali Nawaz Stadium, Sahiwal)
8 Nov : PEL v Army (Model Town Football Ground, Lahore), PMC Athletico Faisalabad v KRL (PMC Football Ground, Faisalabad)
9 Nov WAPDA v Navy (Railway Stadium, Lahore), Young Blood FC v PAF (Rai Ali Nawaz Stadium Sahiwal)
10 Nov: PEL v KRL (Model Town Academy Football Ground, Lahore), PMC Athletico Faisalabad v Army (PMC Football Ground, Faisalabad)
12 Nov: WAPDA v KRL (Railway Stadium, Lahore), Young Blood FC v Army (Rai Ali Nawaz Stadium, Sahiwal)
13 Nov: PEL v Navy (Model Town Academy Football Ground (Lahore), PMC Athletico Faisalabad v PAF (PMC Football Ground, Faisalabad)
14 Nov: WAPDA v Army (Railway Stadium, Lahore),Young Blood FC v KRL (Rai Ali Nawaz Stadium, Sahiwal)
15 Nov: PEL v PAF (Model Town Academy Football Ground, Lahore), PMC Athletico Faisalabad v Navy (PMC Football Ground, Faisalabad)