KARACHI: Habib Bank Limited (HBL) overwhelmed Karachi Port Trust (KPT) 3-1 in their crucial game of the 9th Pakistan premier Football League here at the KPT Stadium on Sunday to enhance their chances of averting relegation.
Mohammad Ibrahim scored a fine brace to emerge as the hero for the bankers, for whom Atif scored the third goal.
Zafar Majeed scored the only goal for the hosts KPT.
“The team played extremely well and outclassed the rivals,” Habib Bank coach Yousuf Khan told ‘The News’. “The winning margin could have been different had we not missed a handful of opportunities,” said Yousuf.
“Had our boys played like this in the earlier matches, we could have been in safer position today,” the coach said.
“Now we have to face Army, KRL and WAPDA in our final three games and I hope if the team played with the same spirit we would spring surprise in those matches as well,” said Yousuf.
Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) and PMC FC are also facing relegation.
Lahore’s Wohaib FC have already been relegated following their miserable run in the marathon.
After keeping tight control on the ball possession, Habib Bank struck twice in the last six minutes of the first half when Mohammad Ibrahim landed goals in the 40th and 45th minutes.
After the breather, tight game was witnessed and KPT managed to reduce the deficit through Zafar Majeed in the 75th minute.
But this did not dampen the bankers’ spirit and they added to their tally two minutes later through Atif and sealed a comfortable victory.
“I wonder why our team is not consistent,” KPT coach Mohammad Asif said. “It is strange that our team plays well against tough teams but fails to demonstrate its real power against a weaker side,” Asif wondered.
“Although we have averted relegation, the boys should realise that they should improve the standings of the team,” Asif said.
The victory inflated Habib Bank’s points tally to 28 from 27 meetings, while KPT have 30 points from 26 meetings.
On Monday, Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) will take on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) here at the Korangi Baloch Football Ground in Sharafi Goth.
KESC, fighting for the crown, cannot afford any further loss at this stage. If they lose, their hopes of finishing at the top will be dashed and the fight for the top honours will be between defending champions KRL and former two-time champions Army.
Source: The News
# Team MP W D L F A D P Last 5 matches H2H
1 KRL 24 18 5 1 57 12 +45 59 D L W W W
2 Karachi Electric 26 16 7 3 55 21 +34 55 D W W W L
3 Pakistan Air Force 27 15 8 4 46 18 +28 53 W D L W W
4 Pakistan Army 24 15 6 3 32 9 +23 51 W D D W W
5 Muslim 26 14 8 4 36 22 +14 50 W W D W W
6 National Bank 26 9 10 7 30 25 +5 37 W W L L D
7 Pakistan Navy 26 8 8 10 27 29 -2 32 W W W L W
8 Pakistan Airlines 26 7 10 9 23 23 +0 31 D W W W L
9 Previous rank: 10 Karachi Port Trust 27 8 6 13 32 41 -9 30 L W L W W
10 Previous rank: 9 Afghan FC 24 8 5 11 21 28 -7 29 L L W D W
11 Previous rank: 14 Habib Bank 27 6 10 11 23 34 -11 28 W W D W L
12 Previous rank: 11 WAPDA 24 6 8 10 31 37 -6 26 L L L L D
13 Previous rank: 12 Baloch 26 6 8 12 20 35 -15 26 D W W L W
14 Previous rank: 13 ZTBL 27 5 8 14 18 36 -18 23 L W L L L
15 PMC Athletico 27 3 12 12 17 40 -23 21 L L D L L
16 Wohaib 27 1 5 21 8 66 -58 8 L L L L L