Lahore, 29 Dec: Kahuta-based Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) maintained their reputation as one of the three top teams of Pakistan. They never finished beyond third spot in Pakistan Premier Football League since 2004 and once again they collected the required point to finish second in the League when they drew 0-0 with PIA at Sharafi Goth’s Korangi Baloch Stadium, Landhi Town. KRL, under Samar Ishaq, were in need of draw and they accomplished the task. They earned 58 points in their 30 allotted matches with goal counts 37-16 while PIA also completed their quota of the matches and despite scoring 49 goals they finished third with 57 points.
In other match of the day, KPT drew 2-2 with Army at Peoples Sports Complex, Mauripur Road, Lyari Town.The star performer of the match was shortly-built striker from Karachi’s Baloch Union FC Muhammad bin Younus who became joint third best scorer with 13 goals alongwith Abdul Rehman (KESC). WAPDA’s Arif Mehmood topped the scorers list with 20 goals, followed by No.2 SSGC’s spearhead Asim Faiz ( 16 Goals).
Muhammad slammed both the goals for KPT leaving Jaffar Khan in no man’s land in both occasion. Muhammad opened the scoring in the 47th minute following a one-two with Shahid Salim after listless first session that produced no goal. But hardly six minutes hap elapsed the soldiers hit back through Noor who dashed through the middle, giving diving keeper Ehsan Ullah no chance with left footed drive.
But Muhammad re-infused new spirit in KPT bench with another spectacular goal in the 55th minute. It was left to Army to engineer all out search for leveler on instructions of their manager/coach Lt. Col. Nauman Khan. former Pakistani skipper, and midfielder Muhammad Ikram hammered the goal in the 79th minute to make it 2-2. It was fifth goal for Ikram in the event.
The 240th and last match of ongoing event will be on Thursday, 30 December when in all-electricity clash KESC, currently fifth behind 4th placed Army, will collide with National Champions Pakistan WAPDA at Peoples Sports Complex, Mauripur Road, Lyari Town on 2.30 PM.