HBL sneak past KESC, Afghan awarded walkover

KARACHI: Atif’s lone goal guided Habib Bank Limited (HBL) to a 1-0 victory over Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) while Navy held former champions Army to a goalless draw in matches of the 8th Pakistan Premier Football League held at different venues of the country on Sunday, 30 October 2011.

Here at the Peoples Sports Complex, following a series of incisive rallies Atif scored the winner for Habib Bank in the 42nd minute to help them inflate their tally 37 from 23 meetings.

“We did not play well in the first half. But in the second half we created a host of chances but failed to capitalise on them which is disappointing,” said KESC manager Zeb Khan.

The loss left KESC at 40 points from 22 appearances. Karachi Electric Supply Company were missing their skipper Mohammad Essa who left for Kuala Lumpur in the wee hours of Sunday to attend the AFC License B coaching course being held at the AFC headquarters.

Meanwhile, at the Municipal Stadium in Rawalpindi, Navy looked in better shape as they held soldiers after a tough fight to take their points to 13 from 18 meetings. Army moved to 30 points from 18 appearances.

Similarly, Afghan FC got walkover after their rivals Pak Elektron Limited (PEL) failed to turn up for the match that was scheduled to be held at the Government High School Ground in Chaman. The triumph catapulted Afghan FC to occupy second place after KRL with 43 points from 20 matches while the bottom-placed PEL are struggling at seven points from 21 meetings.