The All-Karachi Engro Vopak Invitational Football Cup 2011, organised by FC Rovers (Malir), reached its climax yesterday 3 July 2011 at Baloch Mujahid Stadium in Ibrahim Hyderi. Venue hosts Baloch Mujahid overcame Hunter Sports (Malir) to win the final 3-1 on penalties after the game had finished score-less.
Both teams showed determined football throughout the game but it was Baloch Mujahid’s goalkeeper Shahzad Ali that put up a superb display to thwart many attempts from Hunter Sports the entire match. Neither side could score at end of time, forcing a penalty shoot-out. Baloch Mujahid’s Umer Bakhsh and Shahzad Majeed converted winning kicks while only M Saleem could convert for hapless Hunter Sports as Baloch Mujahid won the hard-fought final to be crowned Engro Vopak Cup champions.
The final was attended by Engro Vopak Terminal Ltd. CEO Sheikh Imran ul Haq as chief guest as he met both teams and distributed prizes for the finalists and other honourary guests at the end of the game. The chief guest also expressed immense delight at seeing jam packed stadium watching the final and joked that he thought he had come to a political rally rather than a football match given the passionate fans in the stands. Sheikh Imran also vowed to continue his support for football with FC Rovers administration in future.
Baloch Mujahid pocketed Rs 10,000 winners prize while Hunter Sports got Rs 5,000 runners up prize and trophy. Baloch Mujahid’s Shahzad Majeed got Rs 1,000 prize as Best Player while Irfan Memorial FC (Landhi) got Fair Play Trophy, Adnan Khan was declared Best Referee while Farrukh Riaz got Best Assistant Referee prize. FC Rovers administration also distributed honorary footballs to each of the participating 16 clubs of the Engro Vopak Cup.
Also present in the final was Rahim Bakhsh (Secretary, Karachi DFA West) who strongly condemned the treatment carried out by DFA East on football clubs and refused to accept DFA East’s unjustified rulings against football. Other guests included Gulab Baloch (President, DFA South), Jan Muhammad, Fateh Muhammad Baloch (Sindh FA vice president, DFA Malir president), Ghulam Muhammad Khan (Sports Consultant, NBP), vice presidents of DFA East Syed Usman Shah and M Rahim, vice presidents of DFA Central Saleem Patni, M Shamim and Adam Jan, ADO CDGK Mushtaq Ahmed, M Ahmed Khan, sponsor Ammar Shah et al.
ALL KARACHI ENGRO VOPAK CUP INVITATION FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT
Organized by FC Rovers Malir – Venue Baloch Mujahid Stadium, Ibrahim Hyderi
FINAL
BALOCH MUJAHID DEFEATED HUNTER SPORTS MALIR 3-1 ON PSO (0-0)
Winner Rs.10,000/-
Runner Up Rs.5,000/-
Best Player Shazad Majeed (Baloch Mujahid) Trophy plus Rs.1000/-
Fair Play Trophy to Irfan Memorial Landhi
Chief Guest Mr. Sheikh Imran Ul Haq , C.E.O Engro Vopak
Vice President SFA Fateh Mohammad Baloch, Secretary West Rahim Bakhsh, President South FA Gulab Baloch, Secretary Jan Mohammad, Vice Presidents DFA Central International Saleem Patni, M. Shamim, Adam Jan, Vice Presidents DFA East S. Usman Shah & M. Rahim, sponsor S. Ammar Shah, Organizing Secretary Riaz Ahmed were also present.
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