KRL move to within one point of PPFL title

Leaders close in on league triumph after stalemate against NBP.

KARACHI: KRL are within touching distance of clinching the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) title after playing out a goalless draw with NBP in Karachi yesterday.

They are now just one point away from mathematically securing the title, as they sit handsomely at the top of the table with 66 points. A draw in their remaining three matches would see them through.

Second-placed Army have 57 points after 27 matches while KESC are in third place with 56 points and two more matches to play.

KRL striker and the league’s top scorer Kaleemullah lauded his side’s performance throughout the season.

“It’s been a good season as we played the way we planned and it worked out perfectly,” Kaleemullah told The Express Tribune. “We proved that we are consistent and that we deserve to win the league this year.”

Kaleemullah is now also looking forward to the AFC President’s Cup 2013 — a tournament contested between the top clubs in Asia.

“We want to wrap up the league to earn another chance at the AFC President’s Cup. We reached the second round last year and are hoping to improve on that this time around.  We want to become Pakistan’s first club to at least play the final round of the tournament.”

Meanwhile, NBP coach Nasir Ismail was upbeat despite the draw as they climbed up to sixth place in the league.



“We played very well today and it’s been a good season for my team,” said Ismail. “I had a young team that comprises six under-16 players, so keeping that in mind, I am satisfied with the way the season has panned out for it. We finished eighth last season so we are hoping that we can finish higher than that this time.”

Relegated Wohaib FC skip tie in Noshki

Elsewhere, Wohaib FC, who have already been relegated to Division B, decided to skip their match in Noushki against Baloch FC.

With the walkover, Baloch FC moved into eighth place with 33 points and have one more match to go. On the other hand, Wohaib FC, who have played all of their matches, finished with just eight points.

The PPFL will conclude on January 17 with KRL playing against PIA in the last match of the season.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8^th, 2013.