Aziz shines as Wapda draw with Nepal Police

LAHORE - Goalkeeper Abdul Aziz showed agility under the bar once again as the eagerly-awaited Group-A clash in 5th AFC President's Cup Qualifier 2009 between Pakistan WAPDA and host Nepal Police Club ended in scoreless draw at Kathmandu's Dashrath Stadium Saturday. It was second draw for WAPDA who upset the calculations by drawing 0-0 with Tajikistan's No.1 club and titlist Regar-TadAZ on Thursday. NPC were the first to cope with condition with large home audience behind them. They could have scored in the 100th seconds but Yogesh Shrestha, pressurized by skillful keeper Abdul Aziz, saw his drive smacked the post. It was exciting start by NPC as per game plan of coach Birat Shrestha who urged his players to play attacking game and score early goals, before the kick-off. Six minute later, Jumanu broke the off side trap but Aziz, who took Best GK award last year during Pakistan Premier Soccer League at Rawalpindi, once again resuced Lahore-based outfit. It was tough time for WAPDA defence as NPC went all out with ten players. Bhola Silwal was in fine form and his pin point crosses were troubling WAPDA defenders time and again. The 16th minute saw Yogesh making one-two with Jumanu Rai, but Yogesh failed to overcome defences of Aziz who also denied Dipak Poudel three minutes later. Chetan came close in the 22nd minute but his close-range drive went wide, Six minutes later, Jumanu Rai is fouled just at the edge of the box bydefender Naveed Akram who was shown yellow card. Yogesh took the shot but ball ricocheted off bar. Another miss from Chetan Ghimire in the 30th minute after Ananta opened the space for him. Aziz was called "magnetic" by Nepalese commentator when he stretched full length to pull off save from Jumanu. It was 0-0 at interval. WAPDA fielded former Pakistani skipper Tanveer Ahmed in the 53rd minute and with rain started, Chetan Ghimire missed a sitter in the 56th minute after fine work by Yogesh . WAPDA came close in the 70th minute but Naveed Akram saw keeper Ritesh in real touch. The fourth minute of injury time saw NPC make breakthrough with Jumanu and Parbat but yet again the hero of the clash "Aziz" was alert under the bar as the game ended 0-0. There will be no match on Sunday. The event will resume on Monday (18 May 20090 with Regar-TadAZ v Nepal Police Club (1 PM) and WAPDA v Taiwan Power Company (3.30PM)

ePaper - Nawaiwaqt