KESC to face NBP in final

Both teams to vie for football’s Challenge Cup glory.

KARACHI:

KESC made it to the final of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Challenge Cup for the third successive time after beating PAF 5-4 on penalties.

In their last-four encounter in Bahawalpur, the two teams were deadlocked at 0-0 before the match went to penalty shootouts. There too, the teams were evenly matched before KESC prevailed but only just.

The team will now face NBP, who defeated Wapda 1-0, today.

KESC coach Hassan Baloch said the players’ nerves would be tested in their final match.

“This match will be the toughest,” Baloch told The Express Tribune. “NBP are coming into the final after defeating teams like KRL and Wapda so their confidence is bound to be high. There’s going to be a lot of pressure on my players. After losing two finals to KRL, we need to win this one.”

On the other hand, NBP coach Nasir Ismail said his team would go all-out to make their maiden appearance in the final count. Wapda and PAF will play in the third place play-off today.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2013.