KPT win in football league

Federation changes venue for PIA’s match on team’s request.

KARACHI:

KPT came out victorious in their Pakistan Premier Football League match when they defeated PMC Athletico 2-0 in Karachi.

In other matches of the day, Pakistan Navy played out a goalless draw against Baloch FC, whereas PAF and Pakistan Police also failed to score in their match in Quetta.

For KPT, Junaid Qadir broke the deadlock when he scored the first goal in the last minute of the first-half as the hosts led 1-0 at the interval.

KPT dominated the second-half as PMC Athletico continued to struggle before Qadir sealed the victory with his second goal in the 86th minute.

The win propels KPT to fourth position in the league after playing five matches, whereas newcomers Police have moved up to an impressive third spot behind NBP who are second and KRL who top the table.

Security situation better

Meanwhile, the law-and-order situation, which had raised fear among the players, is returning to normal.

According to the KPT Stadium manager Shah Naeem Zafar , the teams have agreed to play at the venue and the spectators are coming to watch the matches regularly.

“It was a sad incident,” Zafar told The Express Tribune. “Spectators got shot last week and even the teams were scared to play but we’ve ensured them of full security.

“I had to convince NBP and we made sure that PMC Athletico watched the match so that they can take an informed decision. We’re ready to change the venue if teams still feel uncomfortable.”

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Football Federation Secretary Ahmed Yar Khan Lodhi added that PIA requested that their fixture be shifted from the KPT Stadium and therefore Sharafi Stadium has been finalised to host their match against KRL today.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 20^th, 2011.