NBP President’s Cup: Wapda set KRL final

Beat SSGC 2-1 in the second semi-final on Friday

KARACHI: Wapda reached the final of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) President’s Cup 2016 as they defeated SSGC 2-1 at KPT Stadium on Friday.

SSGC’s Hameed Khan scored the first goal in the 27th minute of the match but Wapda’s seasoned striker Arif Mehmood equalised the score in the 45th minute to finish the first half 1-1.

SSGC made attempts on goal but failed to take another lead, however Wapda’s Muhammad Bilal scored the winner in the 52nd minute.

“It was a tough match ad we enjoyed it very much,” Mehmood told The Express Tribune. “SSGC were very competitive and they got us under pressure taking the lead early in the match. We were pushing ourselves and I’m glad I seized the opportunity to equalize the score before half time. We were telling ourselves during the break that we need to get to the final as we had a rough start at this tournament.”

Wapda had lost to Karachi United in their group match and Mehmood feels that it was the hardest part of the tournament for the Lahore-based side.

“It was shocking because we are one of the top clubs. We had to regroup and I’m glad that now we are in the final,” said Mehmood.

KRL had also defeated K-Electric in the semi-final on Thursday, where the two scored three goals each in full-time and the match was taken to the extra-time where KRL scored the fourth goal book a spot in the final.

Mehmood said that KRL will be a formidable side to beat on Sunday in the final. Meanwhile, KE and SSGC will play for the third-place on Saturday.