1st RLCA ALL PAKISTAN RAMZANUL MUBARAK FLOODLIT FOOTBALL CUP
RLCA GROUND – KORANGI #5, Karachi – 11 Aug 2012
KARACHI: Dashing striker Mohammad Rasool scored a hat-trick to guide Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) to the final as they crushed Karachi Port Trust (KPT) 4-1 in the semifinal of the 1st RLCA All Pakistan Floodlight Ramazan Football tournament here at the RLCA Ground in Korangi on Saturday night.
Chitral-born Rasool, who joined the team only a week ago, was seen in sublime form, scoring the treble. He was joined by Abdus Salam on the scoresheet with an excellent field effort in the dying moments. Mohammad bin Younis netted the lone goal for KPT.
Earlier, KESC’s line-up got a boost when they were joined by their skipper Mohammad Essa, who had missed the previous games because of his domestic engagements.
Essa, also a former Pakistan captain, showed his role as a true play-maker and it was visible from his footwork that he was in real touch as he contributed in all the three goals scored by Rasool.
In the first half, KESC played dominating football, but failed to produce many scoring opportunities. Barely four minutes before the breather KESC got their first real chance, which Abdus Salam seized promptly for his side, dubbed as the hot favourites.
In the second half, KESC went all out and swiftly inflated their goal-tally. It was international Rasool who slotted home in 62nd, 84th and 87th minute to take the game away from the rivals.
However, in the injury time Mohammad bin Younis scored the consolation goal for KPT. The strike helped Mohammad to join National Bank’s skipper Abdul Aziz as the leading-scorer — both having scored five goals each.
“It was a fine effort from Rasool,” KESC manager Zabe Khan told ‘The News’ on Sunday. “But he was equally assisted by his captain Mohammad Essa and it is a good sign that the duo are contributing to the cause of the team,” Zabe said.
Now, in the final to be held on Monday (today), KESC will face the winners of the second semifinal which was scheduled to be held between National Bank and PIA on Sunday night.
NBP head coach, and Pakistan team assistant coach SYED NASIR ALI – FORMER INTERNATIONAL VISITED ABROAD IN 1995 SARC GOLD CUP AND ASIA CUP QUALIFIER IN 2000 – WAS INTRODUCED WITH BOTH THE TEAMS AT HALF TIME AS CHIEF GUES.
1ST SEMI FINAL
KESC 4 VS KPT 1
KESC (4) : ABDUS SALAM 41, MOHAMMAD RASOOL (3) 62, 84 & 87
KPT (1): MOHAMMAD BIN YOUNIS 90+1
REFEREE ABRAR HUSSAIN (FIFA) WHILE HABIBULLAH, SALEEMUDDIN BABAR, BABAR KHAN. RIAZ AHMED WAS MATCH COMMISSIONER.
FIXTURE (13.8.2012) TUESDAY (FINAL)
KESC VS Winner of Second Semi final NBP – PIA
RIAZ AHMED – 0300-3926092