U18 football boys stun Army

Juniors record 1-0 win at PFF Challenge Cup.

KARACHI: Mansoor Khan’s winner handed the national U18 side a stunning win against Army, as the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Challenge Cup continued yesterday.

The result comes as a shock as an experienced Army outfit was handed a surprise defeat at the hands of the junior players.

Both teams tried their luck in the first-half but neither of them got success as players went to the interval with the score showing 0-0

However, the second-half was off to a more exciting start as the U18 side created several chances to score. They were rewarded for their intent as a quick exchange of passes between Mansoor and Bilawal penetrated Army’s defence, with the former pouncing on the opportunity to record his name on the scoring sheet.

Army were left shell-hocked and failed to find the equaliser that gave the U18 side a morale-boosting victory in the tournament.

Shakir helps PIA’s cause

In another match, Shakir Lashari scored at a crucial time as PIA downed Bhatti United 2-1.

PIA took the lead in the 31st minute through Riaz Ahmed that was equalised by Mohammad Yasir 19 minutes later.

However, Shakir gave his side the lead in the 68th minute that the team held onto till the end of the game.

In other results, NBP thrashed Bahawalpur 4-0 after goals from Abdul Aziz, Atiq, Faisal Iqbal and Mohammad Ashfaq.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2013.