Afghan Club, Faisalabad Whites reach last four
LAHORE, Sept 4: Afghan Club and Faisalabad Whites have won their respective quarter-finals to reach the semi-finals in the 19th National Under-18 Football Championship, being played under floodlights at the Model Town Club ground on Monday night.
Two goals, one each by striker Mahmood Khan and mid-fielder Mohammad Naseem, helped Afghan Club beat Pak Friends by a 4-2 lead. Mahmood’s two field goals, in the third and 20th minute, gave the winners an early 2-0 lead followed by Pak Friends’ Sajjad bringing his side back into the game by scoring in the 26th minute. At half time, Afghan Club led by 2-1.
In the second session, Afghan Club dominated through Naseem, who in the 54th minute increased their lead to 3-1. But Sajjad again came to his side’s rescue by another goal in the 70th minute.
The margin was reduced to 3-2 until Naseem consolidated the lead, scoring his second in the 82nd minute, to seal the fate of the match.
Meanwhile, Faisalabad Whites ousted Karachi 2-0 to make their entry into the semi-finals.
Sohail Akram opened the scoring in the 27th minute, while Zafarullah Javed made it 2-0 in the 52nd.
Model Town Club and Faisalabad Yellows had already entered the semis.
Wednesday’s fixtures:
Semi-finals:
Faisalabad Yellows v Model Town Club at 8.00pm; Afghan Club v Faisalabad Whites at 10.30pm.