Musa XI (Usmanabad) beat Orangi Star 4-2 in a tense 1st quarter-final clash at Colony Star Ground in North Karachi to qualify for the semi-finals of the 6th All-Karachi Saqib Kazmi Memorial Floodlit Football Tournament on 16 May 2011.
Musa XI raced to a 2-0 lead within first 12 minutes when Tehseen Saeed’s two crosses were converted by Muhammad Imran and Nazir Baloch. Orangi Star captain Sudam Khan reduced the deficit to 2-1 before half time when he scored in 30th minute. In 2nd half, the game action increased as both sides put pressure on each other’s goals. Tehseen Saeed got on the score sheet for Musa XI when his 25 yard shot found the net in 37th minute to make it 3-1 for his side. But Sudam Khan again scored for Orangi Star to make it 3-2 in 40th minute as Orangi fought bravely to equalise. Sudam Khan and Muhammad Arif were unlucky not to score as their shots hit the post. However, Musa XI won a penalty in dying minutes which was duly converted by Muhammad Imran to give them a close 4-2 win right at the end. Referees were Babar Khan with Farid Ahmed and Abdul Wahab, while Khalid Majeed was match commissioner.
In 2nd quarter-final, held on 17 May 2011, Manghopir XI beat Mushtaq Memorial (Usmanabad) in a pulsating encounter 2-1 to face another Usmanabad side Musa XI in the semi-finals on 20 May 2011. Babar Baloch (12′) and Gulzar Baloch (26′) gave Manghopir XI a 2-0 lead by half time but Mushtaq Memorial fought back in 2nd half to reduce deficit to 2-1 thanks to Adeel’s 41st minute goal. However, Sanaullah and Khalil Mehmood failed to score from Nabeel Baloch’s brilliant crosses in dying minutes that could have given Mushtaq Memorial a memorable victory as Manghopir held on for a 2-1 win at the end of the game. Referees were Babar Khan with Farid Ahmed and Saad Kazmi.
The final two quarterfinals see Sher Islam (Rasheedabad) face Lali Shaheed FC on Wednesday 18 May 2011 at 9 PM, while hosts Colony Star face Babar Sports on Thursday 19 May 2011 at PM. The winning sides of these two remaining matches face each other in 2nd semi-final of Saqib Memorial Tournament.
