Will take on PAF in the final tomorrow. PHOTO: FILE
After both the teams failed to score any goals in regular time, it came down to penalties, where PIA triumphed.
Despite his charges needing penalties to go through, PIA manager Zafar Iqbal expressed satisfaction with the performance and vowed to be at the top of their game in the deciding game against PAF tomorrow.
“The game was decided on penalties, but overall it has been a good tournament,” Iqbal told The Express Tribune. “We are happy because, so far, we’ve been undefeated and hopefully we will be victorious in the final as well.”
WAPDA down KE to reach Challenge Cup semi-final
Iqbal admitted that the crowd turnout was underwhelming, but nonetheless, agreed that arranging domestic tournaments is the only way for football to grow in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, WAPDA’S Arif Mehmood felt the semi-final was sub-par due to a needless changing of referees in the second-half.
“I’ve never seen a referee change like this,” said Mehmood. “The red card was also questionable, and I feel the tournament could’ve been a little more organised. The organisers haven't set up a third-place match either.”
Mansoor the hero as PAF reach semi-final
In his defence, tournament organiser Basit Kamal said that referee was changed in the second-half due to a health issue.
The winner of tomorrow's final will take home Rs 100,000 in prize money, while the runners-up will pocket Rs 50,000.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 19th, 2016.
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