KARACHI: National Bank and Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) blasted their way into the semifinals after winning their respective quarter-finals of the 1st RLCA All Pakistan Floodlight Football tournament here at the RLCA Ground in Korangi on Thursday night, 9 August 2012.
National Bank defeated District Football Association (DFA) West 5-3 while KESC edged out DFA South 2-1.National Bank, having a rich experience of Pakistan Premier League, faced little problems against the DFA West. Skipper Abdul Aziz and Adnan Nazar scored a brace each for the NBP while they were joined by Farooq Shah with a lone strike.
The bankers were really in control after scoring three goals in the first half and having conceded just one. International midfielder Farooq Shah put the bankers on the front foot with a pile-driver in the 16th minute before skipper Abdul Aziz doubled their lead on penalty in the 31st minute. Four minutes later Adnan Nazar added to the misery of DFA West by scoring from distance. However, two minutes from breather Aqib Ayub reduced DFA West deficit to 1-3.
Adnan Nazar scored his second in the 54th minute before Abdul Aziz also completed his brace with an intelligent effort in the 61st minute to place National Bank in a strong position with 5-1 lead.
Realising the gravity of the situation, DFA West went all out and forced the bankers to make blunders in the defence. West scored their second goal through Noor Mohammad in the 70th minute before Talal Ayub further reduced their deficit to 3-5 in the 76th minute.
In the last 15 minutes, National Bank focused on their defence which helped them maintain the lead till full time. At the interval, National Bank Sports Chief and former Test cricketer Iqbal Qasim was introduced to the players.
Meanwhile, KESC, in the absence of their star players Mohammad Essa and Mohammad Rasool, beat DFA South after a hard battle. KESC placed themselves 2-0 ahead in the first half through Abdul Salam and Aurangzeb Junior.
In the second half they had to face some anxious moments but were able to avert any serious danger. Sartaj Baloch pulled one back for DFA South in the 75th minute. After reducing the deficit, DFA South tried to put pressure on KESC but failed to break their defence wall.
DFA Central vice-president Adam Jan was chief guest for the KESC vs DFA South game, and met both teams at half time.
Referees Abdul Latif Sr and Abrar Hussain (FIFA) supervised the above matches while Anis Akhtar, Babar Khan, Saleem Moosa, Saleem Babar and Abdul Wahid supported them on line. Riaz Ahmed was Match Commissioner.
1ST QUARTER FINAL
NATIONAL BANK (5) : Farooq Shah 16, Abdul Aziz (2) 31 pk, 61, Adnan Nazar (2) 35,54
DFA WEST (3) : Aqib Ayub 43, Noor Mohammad 70, Talal Ayub 76
2ND QUARTER FINAL
KESC (2) : Abdul Salam 22, Aurangzeb Jr. 30 on free kick
DFA SOUTH (1) : Sartaj Baloch 75 pk