Mansoor’s hat-trick steers PAF to record 5-0 win against Punjab [Pak Observer]

Mansoor’s hat-trick steers PAF to record 5-0 win against Punjab [Pak Observer]

Peshawar—Centre striker international Mansoor Khan’s hat-trick steered PAF to record a tennis goal margin victory against Punjab in the group league match of the ongoing All Pakistan Shama Challenge Football Cup being played here at Sumbal Khan Football ground, Qayyum Sports Complex on Thursday.

Director Sports PAF Sports Board Control Committee Group Captain Asghar Awan was the chief guest on this occasion and before the start of the match the players of both PAF and Punjab were introduced to him. Former Pakistan team skipper and Chairman of the Pakistan Referee Association Qazi Muhammad Asif, Organizing Secretary Basit Kamal and a large number of football enthusiasts were also present and witnessed the thrill-packed match.

Mansoor Khan, who also represented Pakistan recently in the Under-23 National team, played very attacking game and guided his team PAF to take an early lead in the 7th minute when he slammed in a beautiful goal to make the tally 1-0.

After taking lead, PAF kept pressure and their forwards Mujahid, Kabeer, Arbab Basit, Muhammad Alam and Muhammad Arif time and again shattered the rival defence with some perfect goal-fetching moves. Punjab on the other hand after conceding a goal, also managed their position and made some attacking moves but their forwards were failed to level the tally. It was in the 15th minute when Mansoor scored another goal on the field attempt to enable his team to get 2-0 lead well before the half-time.

At the end of the first-half PAF was leading by 2-0. It was the second session when PAF fully dominated the proceedings and some occasion moves made by Punjab, PAF got full control over the position of the ball. Mansoor Khan was the pick of the pack, who first completed his hat-trick, first of the Challenge Cup, in the 56th minute on the field attempt and later on scored two more goals in the 63rd and 88th minute to make the tally 5-0.

Punjab did little resistance in the dying moments but overall PAF dominated the proceedings. Thus PAF won the match by 5-0. Amin Ullah supervised the match while Abdur Rehman and Syed Imtiaz Ali Shah were the deputy referees. Qazi Asif was acted as match commissioner.

With the victory, PAF, KRL, PIA, Pakistan Wapda, PTV, Pakistan Police, Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC), Pakistan International Airlines and Islamabad took berth into the quarter-finals.—APP

Published in Pakistan Observer, 14th October 2016