The 9th Karachi United Football League (KUFL) 2011-12 saw the results of two exciting matches yesterday on Friday, 28 October 2011. Burma Mohammadan (Korangi) stunned FC Rovers (Malir) with a hard fought 3-2 win, while organisers Karachi United FC were held 1-1 by Irfan Memorial FC (Landhi) in other game.
Burma Mohammadan had to thank their goalkeeper from KPT in international Abdul Ghani for being their decisive player against FC Rovers. Not only did he save a Rovers penalty in the match, but also remarkably scored a goal for his team with a free kick in the style of famous free-kick taking goalkeepers like Brazil’s Rogério Ceni and Paraguay’s José Luis Chilavert.
The Korangi Baloch Stadium in Sharafi, Karachi saw FC Rovers face a stunning 2-3 defeat at the hands of Burma Mohammadan. FC Rovers started strongly with striker Raad-us-Salam giving his side a 1-0 lead in 17th minute following a pass from team mate Sikander Butt. But Burma Mohammadan equalised in 25th minute through front runner Saif Ullah after his strong shot could not be completely saved by Rovers’ goalkeeper. But FC Rovers again took the lead through Sikander Butt in 40th minute as they led 2-1 at half time.
In 2nd half, Rovers won a penalty but captain Ammar Sharif’s effort was well-saved by Burma Mohammadan’s outstanding goalkeeper Abdul Ghani. A goal like this would have spelled disaster for his team. Then in the 69th minute, Abdul Ghani stunned everyone when he went up the pitch to score for his side with a well-struck free kick to make it 2-2. The goal proved to be an inspiration for Burma Mohammadan as they then made it 3-2 in 74th minute through Rais Ahmed’s header. The score line remained the same at the end, with Burma earning a superb victory and 3 points while FC Rovers were left stunned in defeat.
The other game of the day was held under floodlights at Baloch Mujahid Stadium in Ibrahim Hyderi, Karachi between organisers Karachi United FC (DFA South) and Irfan Memorial FC (Landhi). Irfan Memorial took a 1-0 lead in 17th minute when Fazal Baloch’s 30 yard effort beat KUFC goalkeeper Bilal Mehdi to find the back of the net. Karachi United had to fight hard for the rest of the game and eventually found an equaliser in 73rd minute when a superb Rehan Munir pass found Athar Qadri as he finished with aplomb to make it 1-1. The score line remained same till final whistle with both teams earning 1 point each.
Referees were Khalid Mumtaz Jami, Ansar Javed, Javed Bangash, Naseer Umar, Tahir Qadri, Shaukat Ali, Babar Khan, and match commissioners Abdul Karim and Master Ghulam Rasool.
On Sunday (30 Oct 2011), Aga Khan Gymkhana Ground in Garden West, Karachi hosts two games with Usmanabad Union facing defending KUFL champions Baloch Youth FC (Garden) at 2 PM, and FC Rovers facing Aga Khan Gymkhana. Then at KMC Stadium, Kalri Star face Islah Baloch, while at Korangi Baloch Stadium the game will be between Korangi Baloch and Muslim Star (Korangi).
