KARACHI: Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) edged National Bank by 1-0 while Afghan FC crushed Baloch FC 4-1 in matches of the 8th Pakistan Premier Football League held at different venues of the country on Friday, 4 November 2011.
Here at the Peoples Sports Complex, KESC had to struggle hard before narrowly edging star-studded National Bank to inflate their points to 46 from 24 games, just behind the second-placed Afghan FC on goal-difference.
Defender Akbar Ali scored the winner for the hosts on penalty in the 54th minute.
Earlier, in the first half both the teams played in an attacking manner. Ashraf let National Bank down when he squandered two easy chances in the first 30 minutes. In the 43rd minute, KESC could have taken the lead but Mohammad Rasool failed to beat the goalie. “It was a good match as both sides played well. After our frontline missed few open chances in the first half, we were lucky to get the penalty and Akbar made no mistake in converting it that helped us improve our position,” KESC manager Hassan Baloch told ‘The News’.
The loss left National Bank at 38 points from 24 meetings.
Meanwhile, at the Government High School Ground in Chaman, hosts Afghan FC proved too tough for Baloch FC Nushki and a convincing 4-1 victory helped them elevate to the second place with 46 points from 22 appearances. Afghan FC’s Zabihullah was in fine form as he smashed in 4 goals (7′, 58′, 65′, 82′) past a hapless Baloch FC side, who managed to only respond through Amir Khan’s 77th minute strike which proved to be too little to late.
Now, there will be a week’s rest for the Eid-ul-Azha and the league will resume on November 12 at Rawalpindi.