KRL lift second straight PPFL title

A 2-1 win over HBL helps team secure football league triumph.

KARACHI: KRL managed to successfully defend their Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) title with a 2-1 win over HBL in Karachi yesterday.

Abid Khan scored the opening goal in the 26th minute which was equalised by HBL’s Mohammad Atif six minutes later. However, KRL sealed the win, and the title, in the 76th minute with Mohammad Qasim’s goal.



“So far the season has been amazing for our team,” Qasim told The Express Tribune. “Although we only lost one match, our target next season will be to stay undefeated.”

Meanwhile, HBL coach Yousuf Khan said his team played well as they concluded their season 11th with 32 points.  However, Khan believed they needed to restructure and make improvements for the next edition of the league.

On the other hand, Muslim FC replaced Army in third with 62 points by defeating ZTBL 1-0. After playing a goalless first-half, Mohammad Hanif scored the winning goal in the 70th minute.

“We are still in the running for the silver medal and I believe with another match, we can accomplish our goal of finishing second,” said Muslim FC coach Dawood Khan.

Both Army and KESC have 59 points in the season, though KESC sit second due to a better goal-difference. Meanwhile, PMC Athletico drew 1-1 with Baloch FC in Noushki. Baloch FC ended their season ninth with 34 points, while ZTBL are 14th with 27 points.

PMC Athletico and Wohaib FC have been relegated to PFFL (Division B). PMC Athletico finished 15th with 25 points and Wohaib FC ended the season with eight points.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10^th, 2013.