Mohammad Waheed’s blistering hat-trick gave Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) a 4-0 win over Afghan FC Chaman in the 2020 National Challenge Cup Group ‘D’ match while a youthful Popo FC stunned Saif Tex with a 2-1 triumph in their Group ‘C’ fixture on Tuesday.
At the Punjab Stadium, PCAA, managed by seasoned coach Siddique Sheikh, showed composure from the very start of the match and kept piling up pressure on Afghan FC Chaman. The high intensity style of play paid off for PCAA when Mohammad Naeem scored for them in the 25th minute.
Afghan FC could not regather themselves after the first goal and conceded again in the 26th and 27th minutes. Waheed scored both goals. The emerging youngster from Karachi scored again in the 75th minute, sealing the first three points for PCAA in the National Challenge Cup.
At the Fame FC Ground, it was all about Popo FC, the team from Islamabad, who put on display a high-quality show of football against Saif Tex. Popo FC team’s eldest player is just 20-years-old.
Irtaza Haseeb gave Popo FC the lead in the 34th minute before Bilal Waheed equalized for Saif Tex just before half-time.
In the second half, Popo FC consistently made advances towards the goal and kept giving Saif Tex problems. Eventually, in the 85th minute, Shamroz Khan scored the winner for the young side.
Reigning Pakistan Premier League champions Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) also kick started their National Challenge Cup campaign in style as they beat a struggling Karachi Port Trust side 2-0 in their Group ‘C’ match at the Punjab Stadium. Imran and Izharullah scored in the 22nd and 40th minute marks for KRL.
In the afternoon kick-off at the Fame FC Ground, Pakistan Premier Football League ‘B’ Division Club Leg winners Baloch FC Quetta also registered their first win at the National Challenge Cup, beating Lyallpur FC 1-0 in their Group ‘D’ match. Nizamuddin’s 48th minute long range strike proved to be the winner for Baloch FC Quetta.
Fixtures for Wednesday, Nov.2, 2020:
WAPDA vs Pakistan Navy, 10am PST, Punjab Stadium
SA Farms vs Asia Ghee Mills, 10am PST, Fame FC Ground
SSGC vs Masha United, 12pm PST, Punjab Stadium
Wohaib FC vs SA Gardens, 2pm PST, Fame FC Ground