Lahore, 19 April: Four matches were decided in 21st National Bank Football Cup at two venues of Faisalabad on Wednesday as the quarter-final frame of the event had been completed.
The quarter-finalists are Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Pakistan Army, Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC), Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Bahawalpur’s Ashraf Sugar Mills (ASM), Pakistan WAPDA while the teams eliminated were Pakistan Television (PTV), Pakistan Police, Habib Bank Limited (HBL), Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), Faisalabad’s PMC Athletico Club, Pakistan Railways, National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and Pakistan Navy,
The interesting Group-A, with all four teams on three points after two matches saw, WAPDA and Ashraf Mills came through after anxious moments. NBP faced another giant-killer performance of Ashraf Mills who dig out 2-0 win at PMC Ground to eliminate the bankers. Striker Zainul Abedia opened the scoring in the third minute and it was left to Saeed Khan to do skipper job with 82nd minute goal. It was second unexpected result from the Millmen who earlier defeated WAPDA 1-0.
Meanwhile, 2008 Champion Navy went out of contention, after drawing 1-1 with WAPDA at Bohranwali Ground. Midfielder Yasir opened the scoring in the 4th minute and took their lead until 90th minute when Navy drew level through full back Shahid Munir. Both the teams finished the group with identical four points and goal count 3-3. In order to settle the issue for Group-A second team behind leader Ashraf Mills, penalty kicks were ordered that favoured Multan-based WAPDA. It was fine day for WAPDA as their main team defeated Nepal Police 2-0 at Kathmandu’s AFC President’s Cup.
In Group-D, KESC were involved in 0-0 draw with Army at Bohranwali Ground. The outcome allowed KESC the leadership in the Group while Railway faced PMC in a match for academic interest at PMC Ground. It produced 2-1 scoreline in favor of Railways who slotted two goals through Imran in the 44th and 90th minute. Alam was lone scorer for hapless hosts PMC in the 43rd minute.
Final Standings of Group Stage, 21st NBP National Challenge Cup 2011 in Faisalabad
Group-A P W D L GF GA Pts
Ashraf Mills 3 2 – 1 3 1 6
WAPDA 3 1 1 1 3 3 4
Navy 3 1 1 1 3 3 4
National Bank 3 1 – 2 3 5 3
Group-B P W D L GF GA Pts
KRL 3 3 – – 9 0 9
PAF 3 2 – 1 5 3 6
ZTBL 3 1 – 2 1 6 3
HBL 3 – – 3 0 6 0
Group-C P W D L GF GA Pts
PIA 3 3 – – 5 1 9
KPT 3 2 – 1 2 2 6
Police 3 – 1 2 4 6 1
PTV 3 – 1 2 3 5 1
Group-D P W D L GF GA Pts
KESC 3 2 1 – 7 4 7
Army 3 2 1 – 2 0 7
Railways 3 1 – 2 5 6 3
PMC 3 – – 3 2 6 0
Quarter Finals:
21 April: KRL v KPT (PMC Ground, 4 PM), PIA v PAF (Bohranwali Ground, 4 PM)
22 April: Ashraf Mills v Army (Bohranwali Ground 4 PM)
23 April: KESC v WAPDA (Bohranwali Ground 4 PM)