PFF Challenge Cup: Underdogs to lock horns in semi-finals

PAF take on KESC, WAPDA tackle NBP in Bahawalpur today.

KARACHI:

The semi-finals of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Challenge Cup 2013 today will be an affair of the underdogs after the shock exit of defending champions and overwhelming favourites KRL on Wednesday.

PAF take on KESC, while Wapda will lock horns with NBP in the two last-four matches in Bahawalpur today. The semi-final line-up delighted PAF coach Arshad Khan, who was pleased to see the dominance of the powerhouses broken and other teams making it to the final stages.

“It’s going to be an interesting tournament since no one expected PAF, Wapda or NBP to be in the semi-finals,” Khan told The Express Tribune. “It’s a good change. KRL’s exit was a big surprise. The strongest competitors are gone, so I believe we have a better chance of winning the trophy.”

Talking about his chances against KESC, he said, “My players have the passion and they have never come this close to winning the Challenge Cup trophy before. They are hungry to win.”

Khan said his efforts with PAF were finally paying dividends, referring to the last two decades where his team was considered one of the weakest in the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL).

“We will soon emerge as one of the top clubs in the country. Last year, we were left behind in the PPFL due to the department’s decision of not sending the team to Chaman for the concluding matches due to security concerns. Had that not happened, PAF would have at least clinched third position.”

However, Khan said that their performance in the Challenge Cup will only increase the confidence of his team before the PPFL begins later this year.

Meanwhile, a KESC official believed the team is favourite to win the trophy.

“After KRL, we are the best club in the country,” said the official. “Our PPFL performance last year proved it. I’m hoping we can win both the Challenge Cup and PPFL this year.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24^th, 2013.