PIA thrash NBP 3-0

KARACHI - Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) opened their campaign in the KASB Premier Football League
with an authoritative 3-0 win over National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) at Korangi Baloch Stadium, Sharafi, here on
Tuesday.
The same venue will also host the HBL-KESC clash on Wednesday.
Nine-times national champions were off to a fine start in the 14-team competition. They opened the proceedings
in cautious style, gaining the knowledge of surface and atmosphere slowly, and suddenly struck twice to surprise
bank keeper Amir Gul. The international keeper was equal to task but the two goals he conceded in first session
were unstoppable. Striker Hanif Majeed, another footballer from Karachi's famous Majeed family, broke the ice
in the 29th minute following a left wing movement. NBP tried all out for equalizer but lanky Lahore-born Bilal
Rafiq was alert below PIA's cross piece. PIA consolidated the lead when upcoming Karachi-born front line
player Zeeshan Ali left Amir stranded with spectacular strike on the stroke of half-time. Nasr Ullah Khan-led PIA
led 2-0 at breather.
It was brilliant victory for the team under former national coach Tariq Lutfi (PIA team manager) and former
National U-17 coach Muhammad Shamim (PIA coach) who missed services of Liaquat Ali. The airlines suffered
a tragedy on May 24 when their key Swat-born midfielder Liaquat Ali, who played major role when PIA won silver
medals in 19th NBP National Challenge Cup last April wearing jersey 15, underwent serious injures during
shelling between the security forces and the terrorists at Mingora.
He was replaced by Hanif, who turned out to be one of the scorer in scorching 3-0 win.
It was all over bar shouting when winger Ali Adeem Shahzad, who played for PFF XI in First E.K.Nayanar
Memorial International Gold Cup Football Tournament 2007 at India, went through the middle to make it 3-0 in
the 50th minute. It was second straight defeat for Abdul Aziz-led NBP who lost to HBL 2-3 in opening day on July