Murtuza’s Late Solo Effort Helped KRL to Reached the Final

Murtuza’s Late Solo Effort Helped KRL to Reached the Final

Murtuza’s Late Solo Effort Helped KRL to Reached the Final

KRL secured their place in the final of 1st NBP President Cup 2017 after defeating the reigning champions of Pakistan Premier League K-Electric in a thriller. From the start of the game both teams were pretty confident that they are going to qualifies for the final but the young center forward of KRL Murtuza Hussain sailed the victory for his side in 2nd half of extra time when he dribble past two defenders of KE and beats the goal keeper of KE.

Karachi Electric took an early lead in 19th minute of the game when Rasool scored for KE but KRL’s Murtuza Hussain who was hero of the day scored in 30th minute of game as he received ball from Umair who took a brilliant free kick and Murtuza beats the goal keeper guided the ball to the right far post with his head. Right after the goal momentum of the game shifted in favor of KRL as they scored their second goal of the day in 44th minute of match when Muhammad Imran helped his side to get a lead after receiving the ball from Murtuza from the edge of 18 yard box, it was a delightful left footed finish.

The half time score was 2-1 to KRL. KE who was behind KRL started the second half with two dangerous attacks in two minutes. 1st was in 47th minute when Kaleemullah tried his luck against Saqib Hanif when he received the ball from Rasool but his shot goes wide. Right after this chance Riaz of KE scored their 2nd goal when he received the ball from corner and he just directed the ball towards the goal, it was terrible display of defending from KRL and it was an open chance for Riaz and he took that very comfortably. The body language of the defenders after the half time was very poor, they made so many mistakes they even made mistake in clearing the ball. Riaz scored his second of the match in 75th minute of the game when he chips the ball over the head of Saqib who was 1v1 with him.

“After my goal in 75th minute of the game I thought we did enough damage and we will reach the final now but unfortunately we couldn’t hold on and lost the game.”  Disappointed Riaz told footballpakistan.com after the match

After this goal KE believed that they will reach the final but in 80th minute of the game Kaleemullah former KRL star and now on loan from Tulsa to KE saw a straight red for elbowing his former team mate Shahid Gujjar.

“It wasn’t a Red card, he was all over me and he was tackling me from behind” Kaleem toad footballpakistan.com after the match

This was the turning point of the game, Yasir Afridi brought on as an attacking option and he delivers in the dying moment when he scored for KRL in injury time, Murtuza and Imran linked well in this goal but it was Yasir who was at right place at right time. The regular 90 minute ended with 3-3 on the board.

 

Another controversial event happened in 1st half of extra time of the match when Yasir Afridi who brought on as a sub in 78th minute who also scored the 3rd goal of KRL of the game see’s the second red of the match. After this both teams had 10 players on the pitch and it was any one’s game but star of the day Murtuza Hussain helped his side in 8th minute of the 2nd half of extra time when he made a beautiful solo run dribbler past 3 defender of KE and beats the goal keeper of KE to the far right side of the post to score the winner.


“We had confidence in our self that we can beat KE in the quarters, we didn’t want this to go on penalties. I was just praying that from somewhere I get a ball cause I knew their defenders are tired and I can go and take a last chance in the game and ALLHAM DULILLAH I scored ” Murtuza when he asked about the game.

 

 

Muhammad Adil (KRL)

“We worked 100% on our plan, Afridi and Murtuza both played crucial role in our success. They are the future stars of our football. We once again showed everybody that we are still the best side in Pakistan”
“No matter who qualifies for the last two from the second semifinal, we are going to win this Tournament in shaaa ALLAH and everybody will see on Sunday. We worked really hard for this tournament and we have all the necessary things which requires to be the champion. ” told footballpoakistan.com when asked about which team he wanted to face in final
Muhammad Essa Khan (KE)
“Both teams played really well, it was good to watch this kind of match but I am also sad that we didn’t qualified for the final of this tournament. We found some very new energetic players in this tournament who definitely going to be a part of National side once we start again playing”