KARACHI: Navy pulled off their eighth win by beating PMC Athletico Faisalabad 2-1 while Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) bulldozed their way to a 4-0 victory over struggling Wohaib FC from Lahore in their matches of the 9th Pakistan Premier Football League on Thursday.
At the Naval Sports Complex in Karsaz, Navy expertly tackled a strong retaliation of their rivals PMC Athletico as they tamed them in the end to stretch their tally to 32 from 26 meetings.
Adnan Ahmed put Navy ahead in the 27th minute after taking the ball from his own half, dodging several players by demonstrating exquisite dribbling power before smashing it from the 25 yards past the keeper.
But their jubilation had not yet subsided when Usman Aslam brought an equaliser for PMC Athletico five minutes later. At half-time the match was evenly poised at 1-1.
After the breather a grueling fight was witnessed but it were Navy that took the decisive lead through Mohsin who headed a setter in the 63rd minute. PMC Athletico goalkeeper Basit Ghafoor was declared the best player for saving a couple of sure goals. The loss left PMC Athletico at 20 points from 23 appearances.
Meanwhile, at the Korangi Baloch Football Ground in Sharafi Goth PIA, who have been passing through deep trouble this season due to multiple reasons, were able to notch off a convincing victory after whipping the bottom-placed Wohaib FC with an enviable ease.
In the one-sided affair, international striker Shakir Lashari put hosts PIA on the front foot in the eighth minute. Nine minutes later Nadeem Tariq doubled their lead before Zeeshan Ali netted third goal for them in the 32nd minute to take the game away from the visitors, who are going towards a certain relegation.
After the breather, PIA played in relaxed fashion but still added to their tally in the 60th minute through short-stature Mohammad Ishtiaq. Ishtiaq, a former Habib Bank player, was also declared the best player of the clash as he not only scored a goal but also did a fine job in feeding.
The victory helped PIA move their points tally to 24 from 23 matches while Wohaib FC are reeling at just eight points from 23 meetings.
On Friday (today) Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) face Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) here at the KPT Stadium.
From: The News