Wapda's captain Arif Mehmood scored the first goal. —File photo by White Star
Wapda's captain Arif Mehmood scored the first goal. —File photo by White Star

KARACHI: A goal in each half took Pakistan’s national champions Wapda to a 2-0 win over Nepal Police in the AFC President’s Cup on Wednesday.

Pakistan internationals Arif Mehmood and Jadeed Khan were the goal-scorers for the visitors in the group C tie, being played at Nepal’s Dasarath Rangsaala Stadium.

Wapda took the lead in the 38th minute, when Nepal Police’s Suman Subedi fell to an offside trap set up by the visitors. Arif took control of the clear ball and slotted past Nepal Police goalkeeper Ritesh Thapa for his fifth goal of the tournament and the first in this edition.

In the second half, the hosts missed a chance to equalise when Yogesh Shrestha was unable to convert from a good cross.

Arif, who scored hat-trick against Bhutan in SAFF Championship 2009, had a chance to double the scored in the 60th minute off Mehmood Ali’s pass but his shot went wide of the goal.

It wasn’t until the last minute of normal time that Wapda sealed the win, when Arif put a ball through to Jadeed, who duly converted from close-range.

This was the third time the two teams were meeting in the event. The previous two ties ended in draws.

Opinion

Editorial

Budget presser
Updated 14 Jun, 2026

Budget presser

If the FBR falters, the government will find itself in hot water sooner rather than later.
Muharram precautions
14 Jun, 2026

Muharram precautions

WITH Muharram due to start next week, the authorities have already begun annual exercises to ensure that the ...
Blood bequests
14 Jun, 2026

Blood bequests

WORLD Blood Donor Day offers a moment of “gratitude, advocacy and renewed commitment” for thalassaemia patients...
Sustainable path?
Updated 13 Jun, 2026

Sustainable path?

The FY27 budget is the first clear signal that the government is ready to transition from stabilisation to growth.
Prioritising education
13 Jun, 2026

Prioritising education

THOUGH the improvement in the country’s literacy rate may be slight, as highlighted by the Economic Survey, it ...
Poverty’s rise
13 Jun, 2026

Poverty’s rise

AS attention turns to the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year, one set of figures deserves particular...