Irfan Memorial FC (Landhi) raced to the top of Group ‘B’ with their second successive victory in the 9th UBL Omni Karachi United Football League 2011-12 yesterday, 16 November 2011. Irfan Memorial edged past Al-Shabaz (Korangi) 2-1 at Korangi Baloch Stadium in Sharafi, Karachi.
Al-Shabaz started strongly and took the lead after 32 minutes when captain and right winger Fareed Alam beat two Irfan Memorial defenders and scored past goalkeeper Kamran Khan from a difficult angle. However, Irfan Memorial struck back just 5 minutes later when ex-youth international Farhan Khan was fouled in the penalty box, and Fazal Baloch stepped up to beat Al-Shabaz custodian Manzoor Alam with his spot kick.
The game was a delicate 1-1 at half time. The teams met chief guest for the match in Korangi National FC supremo Najamul Hassan at half time. In 2nd half, both teams went at each other to take the lead but opposing goalkeepers and defences kept the score line same. Al-Shabaz’s forwards Fareed Alam, Shah Alam, Abdur Rehman, and Noorul Ameen came close but were thwarted by Irfan Memorial goalie Kamran. In reply, Irfan Memorial strikers Ayaz Samoun, Zahoor Ahmed, Farhan Khan, Abdullah, and Fazal Baloch, but eventually Zahoor Ahmed managed to give his side a 2-1 lead in 51st minute that helped them record their second successive win.
The result gave Irfan Memorial 8 points from 4 games as they topped Group ‘B’ while Al-Shabaz were on 3 points from 3 games. Referees were Naseer Umar, Khalid Mumtaz Jami, and Iqrar Hussain, while match commissioner was Abdul Karim. On Saturday, 19 Nov 2011, Shazad Mohammadan face fellow Malir side FC Rovers at Korangi Baloch Stadium.
