The 9th UBL Omni Karachi United Football League 2011-12 saw Al-Shabaz FC (Korangi) return to winning ways with a 2-0 win over host side Korangi Baloch FC (Sharafi) yesterday, 21 November 2011. A brace from veteran striker Abdur Rehman helped Al-Shabaz win at the Korangi Baloch Stadium in Sharafi, Karachi.
Al-Shabaz dominated the game from the start as Korangi Baloch struggled to use their home advantage well. Al-Shabaz strikers Fareed Alam, Shah Alam, Abdur Rehman, and Alamgir put the Korangi Baloch defence of Abdul Jabbar Sr., Umair Baloch, Asif Baloch, Abdul Wahid, and goalkeeper Rustam Baloch under pressure but the score remained 0-0 at half time. The 2nd half saw both sides go all-out for that elusive goal, giving the spectators a real treat of the action. Korangi Baloch nearly took the lead when Amjad Baloch’s shot hit the inside of the post but failed to cross the line in 54th minute.
Al-Shabaz then took the lead 3 minutes later when Abdur Rehman headed home a Fareed Alam cross from the right flank. Korangi attempted to equalise but Al-Shabaz goalie Manzoor Alam kept out attempts from Amjad Baloch, Aqeel Ahmed, Abdul Hafeez, and Abdul Jabbar Jr. Abdur Rehman then wrapped things up late in the game as he latched onto another Fareed Alam pass to make it 2-0 in 88th minute. Korangi Baloch’s Aqeel Ahmed was denied by the crossbar in 90th minute as Al-Shabaz held on for a 2-0 win at the end. Referees were Ghulam Ali, Iqrar Hussain, Abdul Wahid, and match commissioner Abdul Karim.
This was Al-Shabaz’s 2nd over all win, and a welcome victory after 2 successive losses at hands of Irfan Memorial and Baloch Mohammadan and takes them to 6 points from 4 games. Korangi Baloch remain on 6 points from 3 games. On Wednesday, 23 Nov 2011, Shazad Mohammadan face Usmanabad Union at Korangi Baloch Stadium.
