KARACHI: Muslim FC beat strong Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) 2-0, while Baloch FC produced their third victory of the season when they outgunned Habib Bank Limited (HBL) 2-0 in the 9th Pakistan Premier Football League on Sunday.
At the Government High School Ground in Chaman, both KESC and Muslim FC fielded for a vital showdown missing their key players due to their engagement in the national team camp for the Singapore tour this week.
Muslim FC were missing Saeed Ahmad while KESC were without their only keeper Jehangir Khan, striker Mohammad Rasool and midfielder Mohammad Riaz.
Jehnagir and Rasool have joined the national team camp while Riaz was not playing for double booking.
KESC, who were in dire need of a win, went down against the hosts who had the support of a huge crowd.
After a goalless first half, Muslim FC scored two goals inside three minutes through Hayatullah (64th minute) and Zabihullah (66th minute) to take the game away from KESC, who tasted their second defeat in the season.
After going two goals down, KESC tried their best to bounce back but the rivals looked very solid in their defence. “We were really hurt by the referee’s decisions,” KESC manager Hasan Baloch told ‘The News’ from Chaman. “Soon after we missed two chances in the first half, we scored a goal but it was disallowed by the referee Jehangir, signaling for off-side,” Hasan said.
“Then he did not award us a sure penalty. The other thing was that we were playing without our goalkeeper. Defender Farooq was serving as keeper in the absence of Jehangir who is in the national team’s camp in Lahore,” added Hasan.
“Jehangir’s absence damaged our position. We requested PFF to allow him for this game but to no avail,” the official lamented.
“Skipper Essa had to play despite his left knee injury and he also received a blow on his right knee today in the first half,” Hasan revealed.
Muslim FC now have 37 points from 21 meetings, while KESC share the third spot with PAF as both have 39 points with the latter having a slight edge over the former on goal difference.
At the Nushki Stadium, Baloch FC produced another fine performance, edging Habib Bank with an enviable ease to stretch their points to 15 from 20 meetings.
Abdul Malik put Baloch FC in front in the 12th minute. The lead lasted till half time.
After the breather, Baloch FC fired their second goal through the last game treble-maker Sanaullah in the 70th minute.
Striker Wali Khan of Baloch FC was declared the best player of the game, while Sanaullah earned the best scorer award.
“Today we missed a few open net goals and the refereeing standard was also not up to the mark,” Habib Bank coach Yousuf Khan said.
The loss left Habib Bank struggling at 17 points from 20 meetings.
Baloch FC, who at one stage were in deep trouble, now seem to have resurrected themselves with back-to-back victories against National Bank and Habib Bank.
Sources said that Navy have decided to forfeit their Monday’s (today) game against Afghan FC in Chaman due to security risk. PAF will face ZTBL at the PAF Complex Ground, Peshawar, in the other game on Monday.
9th Pakistan Premier Football League-2012(9th PPFL-2012)
Match Results (Sunday, November 11, 2012)
Match # 151
Baloch FC beat HBL 2:0 @ 15:00 PST @ Noshki Football Stadium, Noshki, Pakistan
Scorer Baloch FC: Abdul Maalik (MF) 1 Goal @ 12 Mnt and Sana Ullah (FW) 1 Goal @ 70 Mnt.
Yellow Card HBL: Zubair Ahmed (MF) @ 68 Mnt.
Best Player: Wali Khan (FW) of Baloch FC
Best Scorer: Sana Ullah (FW) of Baloch FC
Match Commissioner: Muhammad Shafique Cell # 0301-3737814
Match # 152
Muslim FC beat KESC 2:0 @ 15:00 PST @ Government High School, Chaman, Pakistan
Scorer Muslim FC: Hayat Ullah (MF) 1 Goal @ 64 Mnt and Zabih Ullah (FW) 1 Goal @ 66 Mnt.
Yellow Card KESC: Abid Ghafoor (MF) @ 42 Mnt.
Yellow Card Muslim FC: Muhammad Tahir (FW) @ 79 Mnt.
Best Player: Hayat Ullah (MF) of Muslim FC
Best Scorer: Zabih Ullah (FW) of Muslim FC
Match Commissioner: Salah-ud-Din Awan Cell # 0302-5932197
(This match observed by more than 18000 thousand peoples)
9th PPFL-2012 Fixture :( Monday, November 12, 2012)
Match # 154 Afghan FC Vs Navy @ 15:00 PST @ Government High School, Chaman, Pakistan
Match # 155 PAF Vs ZTBL @ 14:30 PST @ PAF Complex Ground, Peshawar, Pakistan