KARACHI: Mohammad Bin Younis scored the lone goal to guide Karachi Port Trust (KPT) to a 1-0 win over Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) while former champions WAPDA conceded a walkover to Afghan FC in matches of the 9th Pakistan Premier Football League held at different venues of the country on Friday.
Here at the Korangi Baloch Football Ground in Sharafi Goth, KPT notched off their fifth win of the season after overcoming PIA at the latter’s backyard after a tough contest.
Star striker Mohammad Bin Younis scored the winner in the 49th minute to inflate KPT points to 20 from 20 meetings.
“It was a good victory and I am happy that we took a good start to the final round,” KPT coach Mohammad Asif told ‘The News’.
“PIA looked off-colour because they had not trained during a few weeks of break while we had fully exploited the same time and had held tough training sessions which paid dividends,” said Asif, also a former international. KPT goalkeeper Sajid Hussain was sent off ten minutes from time for double booking. The management then replaced striker Mohammad Bin Younis and sent the reserve goalie Yaqoob to serve under the cage for the remaining time.
The loss left PIA at 21 points from 21 matches.
Meanwhile, Afghan FC clinched three crucial points and three goals when they got a walkover when their rivals WAPDA failed to turn up for the match scheduled at the Government High School Ground in Chaman.
The output helped Afghan FC inflate their tally to 29 from 22 games while WAPDA have 26 points from 21 appearances.
Navy had also forfeited their away matches in Balochistan due to security reasons.
On Saturday (today), Navy will face Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in their vital game here at the Navy Sports Complex in Karsaz. Pakistan Air Force (PAF) coach Mohammad Arshad said that their matches were scheduled to start from December 19 but Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) revised the schedule due to National Games.
“We were planning for December 19 and had sent the players to their homes for a few days rest but the revised schedule forced us to immediately call all the boys and we have been training here in Karachi for the last three days,” said Arshad, also a former international.
“The players have fitness problems but I hope that we will be able to take a good start to our crucial round,” he added.
PAF have emerged as one of the strongest teams this season as they have accumulated 40 points so far from 21 appearances.
From: The News
9th Pakistan Premier Football League-2012 (9th PPFL-2012)
Match Results (Friday, December 7, 2012)
Match # 173
KPT beat PIA 1:0 @ 15:00 PST @ Korangi Football Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan
Scorer KPT: Muhammad (FW) 1 Goal @ 49 Mnt.
Yellow Card KPT: Zafar Majeed (FW) @ 57 Mnt, Sajid Hussain (GK) @ 86, 87
Yellow Card PIA: Shahram Babar (MF) @ 28 Mnt, Zubiar Moazam (DF) @ 53 Mnt, Abdul Jabbar (DF) @ 87 Mnt.
Red Card KPT: Sajid Hussain (KG) @ 87 Mnt.
Best Scorer: Muhammad (FW) of KPT
Best Player: Saadat Hussain (DF) of KPT
Match Commissioner: M. Iqbal Junior Cell # 0333-3329892
Match # 174
Afghan FC Vs WAPDA 14:30 PST @ Govt. High School Ground, Chaman, Pakistan
(Walkover given in favour Afghan FC because WAPDA did not turn up)
Match Commissioner: Ghulam Muhammad Samad Cell # 0347-8587779
9th Pakistan Premier Football League (9th PPFL-2012)
Tomorrow Fixture :( Saturday, December8, 2012)
Match # 175 Navy Vs PAF @ 14:30 PST @ PNS Karsaz, Karachi, Pakistan