WAPDA through to quarter-finals
Down Pakistan Steel 2-0 to make it to last-eight of NBP President’s Cup
Photo: FILE
KARACHI:
WAPDA cruised into the quarter-final of the 2016 NBP President's Cup after registering a crucial 2-0 win over Pakistan Steel at the KPT Stadium on Saturday.
The first half remained goalless, however, former Afghan FC Chaman striker Jaded Khan broke the deadlock in the 51st minute of the match, while seasoned player Arif Mehmood sealed the win in the 82nd minute to book WAPDA's place among the last-eight from Group A.
The former national champions were stunned by Karachi United FC in their first match and were required to win the second in order to stay in the competition.
“There are tough sides in the tournament,” Mehmood told The Express Tribune. “We had a tough time to acclimatise to the weather conditions in Karachi as well. It’s very different to what we had practiced in Lahore. Going into our second match after a surprise defeat in the first, we were determined to win this as we couldn’t afford another upset.”
WAPDA finished second in the group following Karachi United and they will have their quarter-final against K-Electric or SNGPL from Group C on January 24.
The tournament is featuring 12 top club and departmental teams, while the coaches and players have welcomed the opportunity to compete in the event as domestic football has been missing since the infighting among the PFF officials began almost two years ago.
WAPDA cruised into the quarter-final of the 2016 NBP President's Cup after registering a crucial 2-0 win over Pakistan Steel at the KPT Stadium on Saturday.
The first half remained goalless, however, former Afghan FC Chaman striker Jaded Khan broke the deadlock in the 51st minute of the match, while seasoned player Arif Mehmood sealed the win in the 82nd minute to book WAPDA's place among the last-eight from Group A.
Nine-time champions PIA crash out of President’s Cup
The former national champions were stunned by Karachi United FC in their first match and were required to win the second in order to stay in the competition.
“There are tough sides in the tournament,” Mehmood told The Express Tribune. “We had a tough time to acclimatise to the weather conditions in Karachi as well. It’s very different to what we had practiced in Lahore. Going into our second match after a surprise defeat in the first, we were determined to win this as we couldn’t afford another upset.”
WAPDA finished second in the group following Karachi United and they will have their quarter-final against K-Electric or SNGPL from Group C on January 24.
The tournament is featuring 12 top club and departmental teams, while the coaches and players have welcomed the opportunity to compete in the event as domestic football has been missing since the infighting among the PFF officials began almost two years ago.