May 03, 2008	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 26, 1429

KARACHI, May 2: Mohammad Ishtiaq’s second half strike gave Habib Bank (HBL) a narrow 1-0 win over PIA in the National Challenge Cup soccer at the CDGK Stadium on Friday.

After a barren first half, the bankers, who were making inroads for quite some time in the second session, broke the deadlock in the 71st minute.

Ishtiaq breezed past a defender before sending an 18-yard drive into the cage after beating the PIA goalkeeper who had rushed off his line to make a save in which he failed after slipping just outside the box.

PIA, coached by former Pakistan coach Tariq Lutfi who was removed by Pakistan Football Federation and replaced by Salman Sharida in late 2005, were nothing but a disjointed lot.

Although the national carriers have recently bolstered their strength by infusing some fresh blood, they failed to equalise.

PIA could have taken the lead in the 60th minute, but Nazir Ahmad went for a reckless diagonal pass instead of trying directly, although he had ample time and space for a perfect drive.

The national carriers, who made several substitutions in the second period, again came close to scoring nine minutes after Ishtiaq’s goal, but this time substitute Wali Khan missed the target from inside the box.

Khan Research Laboratory (KRL), meanwhile, shot down PAF 2-0 at the Peoples Stadium.

Ziaul Islam opened the scoring in the 34th minute, while Mohammad Qasim’s volley kick wrapped up the game in the 71st minute.

On Thursday, Wapda swamped Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) 9-0.

Three-goal Qamaruz Zaman and Arif Mahmood were the pick of Wapda attack. Qamar slotted home the opening goal in the second minute before Imran Niazi found the target in the 20th minute.

Qamar got his double in the 32nd minute and banged home for his third in the 42nd minute, while Imran netted his second in the 56th minute.

Arif Mahmood struck first in the 60th minute before scoring the second nine minutes later, Khuda Bukhsh was on target in the 88th minute, while Arif completed SSGC’s punishment with an injury-time strike.

In another match, Pakistan Navy defeated PEL 2-0.

Nasir Hussain’s 16th-minute goal was followed by Sajjad Ahmad’s strike in the 28th minute.

Saturday’s fixtures: KPT v Sindh Government Press at People’s Stadium; KESC v Steel Mills at CDGK Stadium.