KARACHI: Former champions Army defeated Navy 2-0 while newly-promoted Police surprised Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) with a goalless draw and Muslim FC overcame Habib Bank Limited (HBL) 2-1 in matches of the 8th Pakistan Premier Football League held at different venues of the country on Saturday, 22 Oct 2011.
At the Municipal Stadium in Rawalpindi, Army looked in good form and dismantled the struggling Navy to raise their points tally to 26 from 16 games. After a barren first half, Army drew first blood when Mubashir Hussain capitalised on a combined move in the 69th minute. Soldiers kept inflicting incisive rallies from both wings and were able to double their lead through Shakeel Yousuf in the 84th minute. The loss left Navy reeling at 10 points from 14 meetings.
Navy manager Khalid Zubair said that his team is passing through very difficult phase.
“We are missing around seven key players due to injuries and that is why we have been facing a lot of problems,” Khalid told ‘The News’ after the match.
Meanwhile at the Sadiq Shaheed Stadium in Quetta, Police stunned PIA with a goalless draw that also took their tally to 16 from 19 matches while PIA, trailing fourth, moved to 37 points from 20 appearances.
In other game held at the same venue, Muslim FC outgunned Habib Bank 2-1 which took them to the second spot with 39 points from 19 matches, five points behind leaders Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) who are having 44 points from 16 meetings.
Muslim FC went 2-0 ahead inside 29 minutes through goals from Mohammad Dawood and Mohammad Hanif before Mohammad Habib pulled one back for Habib Bank in the 36th minute. Muslim FC were leading 2-1 at half time. After the interval, Habib Bank went all out in quest of an equaliser but failed to strike due to poor finishing. The loss left Habib Bank at the seventh place with 33 points from 21 matches.
The News