Army, KESC, Navy triumph in PPFL

Published November 20, 2008

ISLAMABAD, Nov 19: Pakistan Navy outclassed Balochistan’s Afghan FC 3-1, while PTV continued their losing streak being beaten for the 19th time by Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) 1-0.

In another fixture Pakistan Army snatched a solitary goal win against Karachi Port Trust (KPT) in the three Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) matches played at different venues of Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Wednsday.

At the Naval Complex in Islamabad, the seamen recovered their rhythm in the second session to beat Afghan FC 3-1, after going 0-1 down at half time.

The visitors from Balochistan caused a sensation when international Jadeed Khan fired the opener in the 38th minute, leaving keeper Mohammad Shahzad bemused.

Navy sent a substitute keeper, Ishaq, in the second half who denied the Afghans any further goals while their front-runners and midfielders scored thrice in a span of 22 minutes. Mohammad Basharat reduced the deficit in the 58th minute with his fifth goal of the event, followed by winger Asif Mahmood’s brilliant goal in the 77th minute.

Hardly 90 seconds elapsed and Afghan’s keeper Fateh Mohammad had the frustration of seeing the ball go past him for the third time when international midfielder Farhan Qadir made it 3-1. Navy bagged 36 points from 23 matches as compared to Afghan’s 23 in 22 matches.

At the PSB Ground, Islamabad, KESC’s skipper Akber Ali, well-known for his penalty-taking ability, once again made no mistake when scoring through a low drive from the 12-metre range in the fourth minute to surge KESC ahead. It remained the decider of the match as PTV failed to create any impression around KESC’s area. KESC collected 29 points in 23 matches while PTV earned only five points in 22 outings.

Meanwhile, at the Army Stadium, Rawalpindi, Army, looking for their fifth national title, put up a tight marking strategy to keep the well-organised KPT in check and struck the lone goal of the tense struggle when spearhead Imran Hussain slotted the ball past the keeper in the 33rd minute. It was Imran’s eighth goal of the event. KPT secured 41 points in 24 games while Army penciled 40 points with three games still in hand.

Thursday’s fixture: Pak Elektron Limited v Pakistan International Airlines at Railway Stadium, Lahore, at 2.30pm.

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