PPL Balochistan Cup moves into semi-finals [Express Tribune]

by Natasha Raheel

KARACHI: After a dramatic fourth quarter-final, District Football Association (DFA) Chaman completed the line-up for the semi-finals of the Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) Balochistan Football Cup 2018.

DFA Quetta, Dukki, DFA Gwadar and DFA Chaman have successfully made it to the semi-finals of the 38-team tournament which began last month.

According to Samad Baloch, one of the match commissioners, the fourth quarter-final had to be replayed following a contentious decision by the match officials. The match between DFA Panjgoor and DFA Chaman was replayed on March 14.

DFA Chaman ended up with a spot in the semi-finals after winning 2-1 on March 15.

“It is very competitive and each team wants to get ahead, DFA Panjgoor were just very passionate and stopped playing altogether following the decision,” Baloch told The Express Tribune. “But the officials decided on a rematch and Chaman won.”

The semi-finals will now take place on March 28.

DFA Quetta striker Istaqlal Khan believes the semi-finals will be interesting as they may have an easier course to the final.

“We’ll be playing Dukki so we’ll have it easy, I feel,” said Istaqlal, who won man-of-the-match in the second quarter-final against Quetta City. “But then Dukki is also approaching the game with a lot of spirit. We are a great side, we’ve got this break and we’ll be preparing well.”

The event will also be aired on television this time and Istaqlal believes that it is a great chance for the players to garner fans outside of Balochistan.

“We are popular among the local spectators, people come to watch our matches, but I feel the rest of the country should also know how talented footballers are in Balochistan, and this is just one of those opportunities. Airing these events on television will only help our football,” said Istaqlal.

Published in The Express Tribune, 20 March 2018