PIA defeat HBL in football league

PPFL takes Ramazan break with former champions sitting second.

KARACHI:

The first leg of the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) concluded on a winning note for PIA as they defeated HBL 3-2 after a close encounter.

PIA, the nine-time national champions, took the lead in the 14th minute when Jabbar junior scored. The lead was doubled a minute later as Shakir Lashari penetrated through HBL’s defence to put PIA in a strong position.

HBL reduce deficit

After almost an hour of goalless play, HBL reduced the deficit as Zakir Lashari scored in the 78th minute before Shakir put PIA further ahead by scoring in the first minute of injury time. With the win in the bag, PIA’s lead was halved after Bilal Ahmed netted a consolation two minutes later.

However, it was a matter of time as PIA sealed the win and with it went second on the points table with 18 points to show from eight matches. NBP are placed third with 15 points at the conclusion of the first leg of the tournament.

Ramazan break

Meanwhile, the PPFL now takes a Ramazan break with the league resuming after Eid. KPT, PIA and HBL will kick-off the second leg of the tournament in Karachi as the tournament resumes on September 15.

Recap

PPFL kicked off on July 5 with matches being staged in Quetta and Karachi.

The eventful tournament saw close encounters, one-sided defeats, riots and walkovers after teams’ refusal to play games due to the security situation. Pakistan Army have so far struggled after facing five losses while PPFL newcomers Pakistan Police have made a good impression, winning four matches and go to the break on eighth place among 16 teams featuring in the tournament.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th,  2011.