Muslim FC down NBP in football league

KRL beat Athletico to stay on top in points table.

KARACHI: Muslim FC defeated NBP 2-0 at the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) match in Karachi while KRL outclassed PMC Athletico 1-0 in another game played in Faisalabad.

Mohammad Hameed opened the account for Muslim FC in the 19th minute as the newcomers went to the first-half leading 1-0. Saeed Ahmed scored the second goal in the fourth minute of extra-time as Muslim FC sealed the result in their favour.

The win put them in the ninth place of the PPFL table with 14 points from nine matches while NBP slid down to the fifth spot with 21 points in 12 games.

In the second match, Samar Ishaq’s goal on a penalty kick ensured KRL continued their winning streak. After a goal-less first half, Ishaq scored the winner five minutes before the final whistle as Athletico looked on in disbelief.

“It was a good match,” KRL coach Tariq Lutfi told The Express Tribune. “We weren’t taking them lightly but we missed a lot of opportunities.

“Athletico’s confidence was high after beating Wapda in their last match but I’m glad we managed to win.”

The win ensures KRL stay on top of the 16-team PPFL table with 31 points in 11 matches while Athletico still languish at the 15th place with just one victory, which came against Wapda, in 11 games.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 26^th,  2011.