PPFL: KRL crowned league champions

Team wins 3rd title; KESC finish 2nd while Muslim FC end 3rd.

KARACHI: KRL were crowned Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) champions yesterday despite playing out a goalless draw with PIA.

KESC finished second while Muslim FC ended in third position.

KRL clinched the title – their third PPFL crown – with 21 wins, eight draws and just a single defeat in the season. They bagged the Rs700,000 prize-money and a chance to represent the country in the AFC President’s Cup  2013.

“The league was more competitive this year,” KRL coach Tariq Lutfi told The Express Tribune. “We had few glitches earlier in the season due to injuries and the involvement of our players with the national team but we played perfectly.”

KRL’s Kaleemullah received the top-scorer award and also bagged Rs100,000 at the ceremony which took place at the KPT Stadium. Muslim FC striker Saeed Ahmed was named the best player of the the league.

“The recognition and the Rs150,000 prize money is very motivating,” said Ahmed. “I’m glad we earned doing something that we love.”

Army’s Jaffar Khan picked up his third successive best goal-keeper award along with Rs100,000. ZTBL received the trophy for the most disciplined team in the tournament.

Wohaib FC and PMC Athletico were relegated from the league and will be replaced by Pak-Afghan Clearing Agency FC and Faisalabad University FC.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2013.