KRL, Army overtake WAPDA with narrow wins
Source: Our Staff Reporter November 7, 2009 LAHORE – Army and KRL strolled past national title holder WAPDA with narrow 1-0 win on Friday as two more matches were decided in Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) on Punjab territory.
KRL kept their 19th minute goal alive till full time to seal three full points against PMC Athletico at Agriculture University Ground, Faisalabad while stubborn PEL, under fine strategy of coach Asghar Khan Anjum, put up brave fight against the powerful four-times Champion Army and went down 0-1 at MTFA Ground, Lahore.
Both the teams started the day, one point behind WAPDA but after the matches, both registered three points to increase their tally to 41, two points above WAPDA (39 pts).
The hero for Samar Ishaq-led KRL was midfielder Mudassar Saeed, who took transfer from WAPDA after Hyderabad’s NFCC. He landed the lone goal of the match after Muhammad Ahmed and Kalim Ullah caught the PMC defence in double-mind and Mudassar did the rest with close range drive, giving keeper Muhammad Afzal no chance.
The PMC had their chances but Bashir Ahmed and Muneer Ahmed failed to beat KRL goalie Ghulam Nabi who once again showed fine reflexes under the bar.
Meanwhile, Army’s keeper Jaffar Khan, who is also current first choice keeper of National team, showed fine goalkeeping style and gave lesson to several young keepers at Model Town with five real saves.
Twice he blocked Asmat Ullah Khan, the top hitmen for PEL in ongoing show, who was on point blank range to make the finishing touch. When it semed the tense, absorbing clash would end in draw, Muhammad Sharif snatch the winner in the second minuts of injury time.
Saturday (7 Nov) Fixture :
HBL v Navy (Korangi Baloch Stadium, Sharafi, Karachi 2.30 PM), PIA v PAF (Shadab Football Stadium, F.B Area, Karachi 2.30 PM), KESC v NBP (DHA Stadium, Khayaban-e-Rahat, Phase 6, D.H.A, Karachi 2.30 PM).