NBP outclass PMC 3-1, HBL, PEL share points

LAHORE - Two more matches of Pakistan Premier Soccer League (Karachi Phase) were decided on Tuesday. NBP out up memorable first-half display to impose 3-1 win over  Faisalabad's Punjab Medical College (PMC) at Korangi Baloch Stadium while Habib Bank Limited (HBL) failed to take advantage of early strike and drew 1-1 with PEL at Peoples Stadium, With young striker Muhammad Ashfaq in fine touch, NBP cut PMC to size and build up strong 3-0 lead by interval. NBP were looking for their first win in the event and front-runner from Toba Tek Singh did the work for them giving big sigh of relief to bank's coaches Nasir Ismail and Zahid Taj. NBP surged ahead in the 20th minute when shortly-built speedy international midfielder Farooq Shah took advantage off Ashfaq's through pass and hammered the ball past keeper Muzammal Yousof. Ashfaq himself became executor in the 30th and 44th minute. First he collected the cross off skipper Abdul Aziz to hit the target with ease and then he raced onto Farooq Shah's short pass and put the ball beyond Muzammal who wondered where his cover might be. NBP led 3-0 at interval.     PMC's coach Muhammad Habib changed the game plan of PMC in second session and the Faisalabad outfit pressurized the bankers as soon as the game re-started. Faisalabad outfit, playing their second season in A-Division soccer,  reduced the deficit in the 65th minute when PMC's vice captain Bashir Ahmed opened the gate for winger Tanveerul Hassnain to fire the ball past keeper advancing Amir Gul. NBP, who defeated same opposition 4-1 in last edition eight months ago, once again showed complete superiority over the rivals from Faisalabad and snatched impressive 3-1 win. The HBL-PEL clash was first-ever in PFF's blue-riband show that ended 1-1. The bankers despite taking well-deserved 16th minute lead failed to capitalize onto the advantage and lost precious two points. Spearhead Khayal Muhammad broke the ice in the 16th minute and PEL'winger Muneer Ahmed resored parity three minutes from interval. It was 1-1 at interval and second session remain barren. Under captaincy of Sameen Ibrahim, HBL held the upperhand against the tenacious team from Lahore but their strikers missed far too chances in both half, making the work of PEL easy. Wednesday (30 July) Fixtures PIA v Pak Steel (Korangi Baloch Stadium, Karachi : Kick-off 5.30 PM).

ePaper - Nawaiwaqt