KARACHI: Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) rose to the second spot after inflicting a 2-1 defeat on former champions Army, while Chaman’s Muslim FC humiliated four-time former champions WAPDA 3-1 in the 9th Pakistan Premier Football League at different venues in Punjab on Monday.
At the Army Stadium in Rawalpindi, KESC kept themselves in contention for the top honour after engineering a much-needed win over Jaffar Khan-led Army to take their points to 33 from 16 meetings, just a single point short of the leaders Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) who have 34 from 14 outings.
After a tight first half, KESC went ahead through skipper Mohammad Essa who scored a fine field goal in the 70th minute. Six minutes later, dashing striker Mohammad Rasool doubled their lead and rose to join Kaleemullah of KRL at the top with 13 goals in the league so far.
Army scored the consolation goal in the 85th minute when gloveman Jaffar Khan struck on penalty. KESC midfielder Wali Khan was sent off for offence in the injury time.
“We were in dire need of a win today and we were lucky to achieve that as it is always difficult to beat teams like Army at their home ground,” KESC coach Akbar Ali told ‘The News’. “Now we are very much in contention for the top slot as we will play 11 matches at home and three in Balochistan and if we continued to perform in the same fashion results this time will be different,” Akbar added.
The loss left Army at 31 points from 16 games. At the Railways Stadium in Lahore, the country’s most resourceful team WAPDA continued to suffer as they were handed a heavy defeat by the most impressive club Muslim FC.
Saeed Ahmad gave Muslim FC lead in the first minute. WAPDA bounced back soon when international midfielder Zulfiqar Ali Shah landed an equaliser for the hosts in the 18th minute.
But Muslim FC took the lead again through Haji Mohammad in the 26th minute. At half time, Muslim FC were leading 2-1. After the breather a grueling fight was witnessed but it were Muslim FC who inflated their tally when midfielder Mohammad Dawood scored from distance.
“The boys played really well today. You know victory against a departmental team is not an easy job for clubs which have no financial assistance,” Muslim FC coach Mohammad Dawood said. “Last time we finished fifth, but this time I am confident that we will have a happier ending as we have to play 13 games at our home where we will get crowd advantage,” said the coach.
Pakistan coach Zavisa Milosavljevic also watched this match. The victory helped Muslim FC move to 27 points from 17 appearances, while WAPDA trail at 22 points from 16 matches.
Azizullah struck in the dying moments to help Afghan FC to hold PMC Athletico 1-1 and take their points to 12 from 14 games. Earlier, hosts PMC Athletico took the initiative through Abrar Aslam in the 73rd minute.
PMC, by virtue of the single point, rose to 12 points from 16 meetings. Today’s fixtures: Wohaib Club v Baloch FC (UMT Ground, Lahore), KRL v Navy (Railways Stadium, Lahore), ZTBL v HBL (Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad), PAF v NBP (PAF Complex, Peshawar).
Source: Alam Zeb Safi [The News]
9th Pakistan Premier Football League-2012(9th PPFL-2012)
Match Results (Monday, October 22, 2012)
Match # 122
Muslim FC beat WAPDA 3:1 @ 15:00 PST @ Railway Football Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan
Scorer Muslim FC: Saeed Ahmed (FW) 1 Goal @ 1 Mnt, Haji Muhammad (FW) 1 Goal @ 26 Mnt and Muhammad Dawood (MF) 1 Goal @ 88 Mnt.
Scorer WAPDA: Zulifqar Ali Shah (FW) 1 Goal @ 37 Mnt.
Yellow Card Muslim FC: Asmat Ullah (FW) @ 90+3 Mnt.
Yellow Card WAPDA: Asif (DF) @ 37 Mnt.
Best Player: Saeed Ahmed (FW) of Muslim FC
Best Scorer: Zulifqar Ali Shah (FW) of WAPDA
Match Commissioner: Rasheed Mahmood Butt Cell # 0333-4349648
Match # 123
PMC FC Vs Afghan FC 1:1 Draw @ 15:00 PST @ PMC Football Ground, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Scorer PMC FC: Ibrar Aslam (FW) 1 Goal @ 73 Mnt.
Scorer Afghan FC: Aziz Ullah (MF) 1 Goal @ 89 Mnt.
Yellow Card PMC FC: Mujahid Ali (FW) @ 19 Mnt.
Yellow Card Afghan FC: Nazir Ahmed (MF) @ 87 Mnt.
Best Player: Aziz Ullah (MF) of Afghan FC
Best Scorer: Ibrar Aslam (FW) of PMC FC
Match Commissioner: Mian Bari Cell # 0300-7890300
Match # 124
KESC beat Army 2:1 @ 15:00 PST @ Army Stadium, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Scorer KESC: Eisa Khan (MF) 1 Goal @ 70 Mnt and Muhammad Rasool (FW) 1 Goal @ 76 Mnt.
Scorer Army: Jaffar Khan (Goal Keeper) 1 Goal through Penalty Kick @ 85 Mnt.
Yellow Card KESC: Umar Farooq (DF) @ 5 Mnt.
Red Card KESC: Wali Khan (MF) @ 90+3 Mnt.
Best Player: Muhammad Riaz Khan (MF) of KESC
Best Scorer: Muhammad Rasool (FW) of KESC
Match Commissioner: Zaman Khan Cell # 0300-5343428
Tomorrow 9th PPFL-2012 Fixture :( Tuesday, October 23, 2012)
Match # 125 Wohaib FC Vs Baloch FC @ 15:00 PST @ UMT Football Ground, Lahore, Pakistan
Match # 126 KRL Vs Navy @ 15:00 PST @ Railway Football Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan
Match # 127 ZTBL Vs HBL @ 15:00 PST @ Jinnah Football Stadium, Islamabad, Pakistan
Match # 128 PAF Vs NBP @ 15:00 PST @ PAF Complex Ground, Peshawar, Pakistan