by Alam Zeb Safi [The News]
Friday, Sept 7 2012
KARACHI: Star-studded National Bank overwhelmed Karachi Port Trust (KPT) 2-0 while international striker Mohammad Rasool’s solitary goal enabled Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) to produce their first win as they beat Navy 1-0 in the 9th Pakistan Premier Football League here at different venues on Friday.
At the KPT Stadium, National Bank, who had held KESC 1-1 in their opener the other day, showed guts on the soft, lush green pitch, beating KPT with an enviable ease to bag three points.
KPT, whose youngsters were mostly relying on speed, failed to put up the resistance they are famous for. Following a series of concerted efforts, the bankers got onto the scoresheet through international Faisal Iqbal who scored on rebound due to blunder from KPT keeper Shoaib who was playing in place of Sajid Hussain who had failed to impress the management in the first match against Navy the other day.
At half time, National Bank had 1-0 edge. After the breather, the bankers produced a few good chances but failed to convert them. Abdul Aziz, who was part of the 2006 Colombo South Asian Games gold medalist Pakistan team, enhanced his team’s lead in the 58th minute.
KPT’s frontline, carrying Mohammad bin Younis and skipper Zafar Majeed, failed to live up to the expectations. Zafar missed a couple of easy chances while tall and sturdy Mohammad also looked off-colour in the entire game.
KPT were reduced to 10 men when Zafar Majeed was sent off with a red card in the 70th minute.
National Bank coach Nasir Ismail was happy with the way his team played. “I think my team played really well,” Nasir told ‘The News’.
“We always miss a few chances and again our conversion rate was not that good but it was encouraging that the players made their hundred percent effort,” he said.
“Aziz has good coordination with Farooq Shah but as he was absent due to suspension, Aziz did not look that impressive and his shots went off the target,” said Nasir, also Pakistan’s assistant coach.
KPT coach Mohammad Asif said that his young team would raise their game. “You might have noticed that our players mostly depended on speed. We need play-makers who could manage the game. The midfield remained weak and there was a problem in ball holding. I hope that the team will soon raise their game as the league progresses,” Asif said.
Before the match, both teams observed a minute’s silence to pay tribute to former international footballer Abdul Ghafoor Majna who died on Friday.
At the People’s Sports Complex, KESC pulled off their maiden win with a lone goal from Chitral-born Mohammad Rasool who capitalised on a pass from skipper Mohammad Essa in the 29th minute.
In the fast-paced match Navy’s striker Sajjad Ahmad was shown red card four minutes from time. He will miss his team’s next show.
KESC manager Hasan Baloch said the team played well but could not convert more chances. “Although we won the match the frontline should have scored more goals,” he said. Navy coach Lt Commander Mehfooz conceded that it was not their day.
“It was not our day. I was expecting that we will win with three or four goals but I will tell you that the whole combination failed to click which was disappointing,” added Mehfooz.
At the Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad, defending champions KRL whipped debutants Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) 3-0 to take their points to six from two meetings. Mohammad Aadil struck twice in 41st and 90th minutes. Striker Mohammad Qasim had earlier put KRL 1-0 ahead in the 31st minute.
Nushki’s Baloch FC struck a late goal through Habibullah in the 89th minute to hold Chaman’s Muslim FC to a 1-1 draw at the Sadiq Shaheed Stadium in Quetta. Earlier, Zabihullah had slotted home in the 38th minute to put Muslim FC ahead.
Today’s fixtures: Wohaib FC v WAPDA (Fame FC Ground, Model Town, Lahore).
9th Pakistan Premier Football League-2012(9th PPFL-2012)
Match Result (Friday, September 07, 2012)
Match # 7
Muslim FC Vs Baloch FC 1:1 draw @ 1600 PST @ Sadiq Shaheed Football Stadium, Quetta, Pakistan
Scorer Muslim FC: Zabih Ullah (FW) 1 Goal @ 38 Mnt.
Scorer Baloch FC: Habib Ullah (MF) 1 Goal @ 89 Mnt.
Best Player: Zahih Ullah (FW) of Muslim FC
Match Commissioner: Ghulam Muhammad Samad, Cell # 0333-7828087
Match # 8
KRL beat ZTBL 3:0 @ 1600 PST @ Jinnah Football Stadium, Islamabad, Pakistan
Scorer KRL: Muhammad Qasim (FW) 1 Goal @ 31 Mnt and Muhammad Adil 2 Goals @ 41 & 90 Mnt.
Yellow Card KRL: Muhammad Adil @ 43 Mnt and Mahmood Khan @ 63 Mnt.
Best Player: Samar Ishaq
Match Commissioner: Zaman Khan, Cell # 0300-5343428
Match # 9
KESC beat Navy 1:0 @ 1600 PST @ Peoples Football Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan
Scorer KESC: Muhammad Rasool (FW) 1 Goal @ 29 Mnt.
Yellow Card Navy: Naveed @ 9 Mnt.
Red Card Navy: Sajjad @ 87 Mnt.
Best Player: Bilal Afridi of Navy
Match Commissioner: Ali Nawaz Baloch, Cell # 0300-2146038
Match # 10
NBP beat KPT 2:0 @ 1600 PST @ KPT Football Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan
Scorer NBP: Faisal Iqbal (MF) 1 Goal @ 13 Mnt and Abdul Aziz (FW) 1 Goal @ 58 Mnt.
Yellow Card NBP: Muhammad Ismail @ 27 Mnt and Faisal Iqbal @ 43 Mnt
Yellow Card KPT: Sarmad @ 15 Mnt and Faraz Faraz @ 49 Mnt.
Red Card NBP: Zafar Majeed @ 87 Mnt.
Best Player: Abdul Aziz (FW) of NBP
Match Commissioner: Abdul Shakoor Baloch, Cell # 0321-9299986
Tomorrow 9th PPFL-2012 Fixture :( Saturday, September 08, 2012)
Match # 11 Wohaib FC Vs WAPDA @ 1600 PST @ Fame FC Ground Model Town, Lahore, Pakistan