Thursday, October 13, 2011
At the Sadiq Shaheed Stadium in Quetta, PIA proved too good for minnows Baloch FC and inflated their points tally to 35 from 17 matches, just two points behind leaders Khan Research Laboratories (KRL).
PIA went ahead in the 14th minute through field goal from Abdul Ghaffar. At half-time, they were leading 1-0. Nazir Ahmad doubled their lead in the 59th minute before Zeeshan Ali added to the misery of Baloch FC when his pile-driver from distance went past the keeper.
Seven minutes later, international striker Shakir Lashari completed the rout after he capitalised on a combined move.
The loss left Baloch FC at 11 points from 14 meetings.
“We were missing our four key players due to injury but still the team played well and availed of the opportunities particularly in the second half,” PIA coach Shamim Khan told ‘The News’ from Quetta.
Meanwhile, at the same venue, National Bank were stunned by Chaman’s Muslim FC after a tight finish with Saeed Ahmad scoring the lone goal for the winners in the 34th minute. The result helped Muslim FC join National Bank at 30 points but the latter have a little edge over the former on goal-difference.
In other match KPT defeated PEL in a one-sided affair to stretch their points to 24 from 17 appearances. After a slow first half, KPT took the initiative in the 72nd minute when Akhtar Mamol converted a penalty. Karachi Port Trust (KPT) kept inflicting incisive rallies and were able to double their lead when Shahid Salim scored from a tight angle in the 81st minute.
The loss left PEL struggling at the relegation zone with six points from 17 matches.
At the Municipal Stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) held Navy to a goalless draw that helped them extend their points to nine from 13 matches while Navy, by virtue of the single goal, advanced to ten points from 13 appearances.
“We were missing our top eight players due to injury and other reasons and had fielded purely a young side that played well,” said Navy manager Khalid Zubair.
“I am hopeful that we will bounce back to finish at the respectable place.” Today’s fixture: KRL v PMC Athletico (Municipal Stadium, Rawalpindi).