KARACHI: National Bank notched a 2-1 win against Navy while Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) outgunned PMC Athletico 3-1 in their matches of the NBP Football Cup 2011 in Faisalabad on Saturday.
On a slippery turf at the Bohranwali due to heavy rain throughout Friday night, National Bank drew first blood in the Group A clash when Mohammad Ashfaq’s thunderous shot went past the keeper in the 18th minute. Navy bounced back with an equaliser from Asif Bakhsh in the 57th minute. But the bankers landed the winner through Waheed Hameed in the 64th minute.
“Our defenders made few mistakes. But I am confident that we will be able to make it to the last eight,” Navy coach Khalid Zubair told ‘The News’.
Meanwhile, in Group D tie, Chitral-born striker Mohammad Rasool struck twice in the first half to enable KESC inflict a 3-1 win over hosts PMC Athletico.
Rasool scored in the 27th and 29th minute before PMC pulled one back through Mohammad Usman on the stroke of half-time. Former KPT striker Mohammad struck in the second-half to help KESC seal a 3-1 triumph.
Safeer struck in the 33rd minute to help former national champions Army beat Railways 1-0 in their Group D clash.
Meanwhile, WAPDA went 0-1 down against Ashraf Sugar Mills in Group A with winger Nisar Ahmed scoring the winning goal in injury-time. Today’s fixtures: Police v PIA, KPT v Pakistan Television, Habib Bank v KRL, PAF v ZTBL.