LAHORE: Higher Education Commission (HEC) joined fellow Group A side Pakistan Army and qualified for the 2020 National Challenge Cup Round-of-16 after winning their respective matches on Monday, 7 December.
Pakistan Army thrashed Pakistan Police 4-0, at the Punjab Stadium thanks to a hat-trick by Mohammad Jamil (16’, 43’, 83’) and a goal by Mohammad Sarfraz (70’) to finish top of Group ‘A’.
At the Fame FC Ground, Ahtisham Hussain’s 54th minute strike against Baloch FC Nushki ensured HEC’s qualification to the Round-of-16 as they finished 2nd in the group with 4 points from 3 games.
Baloch FC Nushki finished 3rd with 3 points from 3 games and -2 goal difference, while Police finished bottom with 0 points from 3 games.
In Group ‘B’, National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) beat Huma FC Islamabad 3-0 at the Punjab Stadium. Sanaullah scored two goals for the winners in the 25th and 60th minutes. Maqbool’s 80th minute strike sealed victory and all but confirmed the next round for NBP.
In the other match of the group, at the Fame FC Ground, Karachi United were beaten by Falcon Company 1-2. Haider Khan opened the scoring for Falcon Company at the 21st minute before Sardar Wali doubled the lead at the 35th minute thanks to a brilliant free kick.
For Karachi United, Jamshed scored in the 64th minute as their attempts to equalize in remaining minutes remained unsuccessful.
Group B finished with a complicated position as NBP, Falcon Company, and Karachi United finish tied on 6 points each, with similar goal differences when not counting results against bottom-placed Huma FC who have 0 points.
The final decision on who gets the top 3 spots in Group depends on PFF rules and regulations for the tournament. More on this soon.
Fixtures for December 8, 2020
Group ‘C’:
Popo FC vs KRL, 10am PKT, Punjab Stadium
KPT vs Saif Tex, 10am PKT, Fame FC Ground
Group ‘D’:
Baloch FC Quetta vs PCAA, 12.30pm PKT, Punjab Stadium
Afghan Fc Chaman vs Lyallpur FC, 12.30pm PKT, Fame FC Ground