KARACHI: Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and Habib Bank Limited (HBL) recorded identical 1-0 wins over Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) and Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), respectively, in the 9th Pakistan Premier Football League here on Wednesday.
At the KPT Stadium, KPT took revenge from their rivals KESC for their 6-4 defeat in their home leg the other day at the same venue after a tough fight to take their points to 24 from 23 meetings.
KPT, who also had the support of their promising keeper Ihsanullah after one long year, struck the winner in the 13th minute through Sarmad.
Ihsanullah looked impressive and saved a couple of goals, which earned him the best player award.
The gloveman had come into limelight after a splendid performance against India during the 2008 AFC Under-14 Festival in Tehran, with his dives and ball grabbing ability impressing the experts.
The loss left KESC at 45 points from 22 matches. “We were missing three key players, including Mohammad Bin Younis and Waseem Cheena, and had planned to play defensively,” KPT coach Mohammad Asif told ‘The News’.
“Our keeper Ihsanullah, who remained out of action for one year due to a knee injury, did a superb job and saved a couple of goals,” said Asif.
“After losing to KESC in our last game, the rivals had psychological edge but our youngsters did a good job to notch off a much-needed win,” Asif said.
“We could have ended with 4-0 margin had we not missed opportunities,” Asif said.
KESC manager Zeb Khan said that it was not their day. “I think it was not our day. We had more ball possession but missed a few chances,” said Zeb.
“We were missing our keeper Jehangir Shah due to double booking and that went against us,” the manager said.
At the People’s Sports Complex, Ibrahim’s solitary strike helped Habib Bank break their losing streak as they overcame ZTBL 1-0.
The tough encounter saw three of HBL’s players, 18-year-old defender Zubair, centre-half Rahim and goalkeeper Ali Haider, going off the field on stretchers after developing injuries.
Following incisive rallies, Mohammad Ibrahim hit a super goal for HBL through a pile-driver from distance in the 32nd minute and the lead lasted till full time.
The win inflated HBL’s tally to 21 points from 24 meetings, while ZTBL have 20 points from 22 appearances.
“It was a tough game but we ultimately won which is a good sign for our team,” HBL coach Yousuf Khan said.
“Ibrahim scored a beautiful goal from distance and when we lost our three key players due to injury in the first half we looked in deep trouble but the boys retained control and maintained the lead,” said Yousuf.
Today’s fixtures: Navy v PMC Athletico (Naval Sports Complex, Karsaz, Karachi), PIA v Wohaib FC (Korangi Baloch Football Ground, Sharafi Goth, Karachi).
| # | Team | MP | W | D | L | F | A | D | P | Last 5 matches | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
KRL | 21 | 17 | 4 | 0 | 55 | 11 | +44 | 55 | W W W W W | |
| 2 | |
Pakistan Air Force | 27 | 15 | 8 | 4 | 46 | 18 | +28 | 53 | W D L W W | |
| 3 |  |
Pakistan Army | 24 | 15 | 6 | 3 | 32 | 9 | +23 | 51 | W D D W W | |
| 4 | Muslim | 25 | 13 | 8 | 4 | 35 | 22 | +13 | 47 | W D W W W | ||
| 5 | Karachi Electric | 22 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 40 | 19 | +21 | 45 | L W W L W | ||
| 6 | National Bank | 24 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 25 | 24 | +1 | 31 | L L D L L | ||
| 7 | |
Pakistan Navy | 25 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 25 | 28 | -3 | 29 | W W L W L | |
| 8 | |
Afghan FC | 23 | 8 | 5 | 10 | 21 | 26 | -5 | 29 | L W D W W | |
| 9 | |
WAPDA | 24 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 31 | 37 | -6 | 26 | L L L L D | |
| 10 | Baloch | 25 | 6 | 7 | 12 | 20 | 35 | -15 | 25 | W W L W D | ||
| 11 | |
Karachi Port Trust | 23 | 6 | 6 | 11 | 23 | 36 | -13 | 24 | W D L W L | |
| 12 | |
Pakistan Airlines | 22 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 21 | -8 | 21 | L L W D L | |
| 13 | |
Habib Bank | 24 | 4 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 33 | -19 | 21 | W L D L L | |
| 14 | |
PMC Athletico | 22 | 3 | 11 | 8 | 15 | 25 | -10 | 20 | W L W L D | |
| 15 | |
ZTBL | 23 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 27 | -13 | 20 | L L L D L | |
| 16 | Wohaib | 22 | 1 | 5 | 16 | 8 | 46 | -38 | 8 | L L L L L |
9th Pakistan Premier Football League-2012 (9th PPFL-2012)
Match Results (Wednesday, December 19, 2012)
Match # 188
HBL beat ZTBL 1:0 @ 14:30 PST @ Peoples Football Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan
Scorer HBL: Muhammad Ibrahim (MF) 1 Goal @ 32 Mnt.
Yellow Card HBL: Abdullah (DF) @ 90+3 Mnt.
Yellow Card ZTBL: Adnan (DF) @ 47 Mnt.
Red Card HBL: Abdullah (DF) @ 90+4 Mnt.
Best Scorer: Muhammad Ibrahim (MF) of HBL
Best Player: Hanif Khan (FW) of ZTBL
Match Commissioner: Ali Nawaz Baloch Cell # 0300-2146038
Match # 189
KPT beat KESC 1:0 @ 14:30 PST @ KPT Football Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan
Scorer KPT: Sarmad (FW) 1 Goal @ 13 Mnt.
Best Scorer: Sarmad (FW) of KPT
Best Player: Ahsan Ullah (GK) of KPT
Match Commissioner: Abdul Shakoor Baloch Cell # 0321-9299986
9th Pakistan Premier Football League (9th PPFL-2012)
Tomorrow Fixture :( Thursday, December 20, 2012)
Match # 190 Navy Vs PMC FC @ 14:30 PST @ PNS Karsaz Ground, Karachi, Pakistan
Match # 191 PIA Vs Wohaib FC @ 14:30 PST@ Korangi Football Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan