PPFL: KRL register easy win over KPT

Defending champions keep up the pressure on leaders KESC.

KARACHI:

KRL moved up to the second place in the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) as they defeated KPT 3-1 in Rawalpindi yesterday.

The defending champions regained their form against the visitors after playing a goalless first half as Mahmood Khan scored in the 52nd minute, while Kaleemullah scored his comeback goal six minutes later. Khan struck again in the 68th minute of the match to hand his team a three-goal advantage. KPT’s sole goal came in the 90th minute, scored by Muhammad.

“We are looking for nothing less than a win, playing a draw is not an option,” KRL captain Samar Ishaq told The Express Tribune, referring to their last drawn match against KESC. “They are working hard to secure the title, so to make sure we get back on the top it’s necessary to just win. Playing a draw is less than satisfactory.”

With the win, KRL replaced NBP in second position with 25 points after 11 matches, while KESC lead the league with 27 points. However, KPT manager Shah Naeem insisted it was too early to draw conclusions out of the current league positions of the teams.

“Everything will sort out after the 15th match,” said Naeem. “Nothing can be said so soon, we can still end up among the top five. We have played 13 matches so far. We need to focus on the positives.”

Meanwhile, HBL defeated Wohaib FC 1-0 in Lahore, moving up to 10th position after 14 matches. Wohaib FC sank at the bottom of the league with their sixth defeat of the season.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 14^th, 2012.