Madina Shabaz (Baldia Town) pulled off an upset in 9th UBL Omni Karachi United Football League 2011-12 with a 3-1 win over Irfan Memorial (Landhi) yesterday, 27 November 2011, at Korangi Baloch Stadium in Sharafi, Karachi.
The match started with Irfan Memorial going hard to score from opening chances with strikers Zahoor Ahmed, Abdullah, Ayaz Samoon, and Fazal Baloch all going close. Poor finishing meant the scoreline remained 0-0 at half time. During the break, the match chief guest Abdul Aziz (DFA East Vice President) was introduced to the players by KUFL organising secretary Riaz Ahmed. The chief guest praised Karachi United FC management and Riaz Ahmed for their tremendous efforts in making KUFL as a success and in promoting the game across Karachi.
In 2nd half, the pace of the game increased as Irfan Memorial substituted in Farhan Khan and Shabaz Samoon for Zahoor Ahmed and Ayaz Samoon. The change had a negative effect on the team’s performance as poor coordination between the Irfan Memorial ranks cause Madina Shabaz to pounce. Madina Shabaz forward line of Asif Khan, Naeem Abbas, M Adil and Saqib Sattar put the Irfan Memorial defence in clear danger.
Eventually, right winger Naeem Abbas put his side 2-0 up with 2 goals; one was a 25 yard strike that beat Irfan Memorial goalie Kamran Khan in 68th minute, other a 78th minute from a Asif Khan pass. Irfan Memorial managed to respond with Abdullah as he made it 2-1 in 80th minute as shot from just outside the box sneaked past Amjad Khan in goal. But Saqib Sattar made the tie beyond Irfan Memorial’s reach when he made it 3-1 for Madina Shabaz in 85th minute as they ran down the clock to complete the upset.
The win helped Madina Shabaz climb upto 2nd place in their group with 9 points from 5 games, while Irfan Memorial remained on 8 points from same games played. Referees were Saeed Khan, Ahmed Mian, and Abdul Wahid, with match commissioner Abdul Karim.
