WAPDA thrash PPFL newcomers Lyallpur 3-0

Four-time champions register comfortable win.

KARACHI: Four-time champions Wapda began their Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) campaign on a winning note as they crushed debutants Lyallpur FC 3-0 in Lahore at the Railway Football Stadium yesterday.

Although Wapda struggled in the last two seasons in the absence of their coach Khalid Butt, they have vowed to prove their mettle in the current season.

Syed Hassan Abbas scored the opening goal in the 51st minute, which was doubled by seasoned striker Arif Mehmood in the 61st. Zulfiqar Ali Shah sealed the victory for Wapda seven minutes later.

Wapda, who finished 11th last season, are fielding a new team this time. Butt, who took a two-year sabbatical after the team won the 2011 title has reshuffled the squad.

Mehmood, Shah and Naveed Akram are the only senior players with new talent making up the rest, posing a threat as underdogs to top clubs like KESC, Army and defending champions KRL.

For Mehmood, Wapda’s campaign this season is more important to him than ever.

“This season is about making a comeback,” Mehmood told The Express Tribune. “We have to regain our status as a top club and once again become a feared team.”

Mehmood has been the top-scorer for Wapda in five PPFL editions since 2004. He last took the award for scoring the most goals in 2011 with 22 goals.

“My personal aim is to score at least one goal in each match,” said Mehmood. “I struggled with a knee injury for two years, but have now overcome that. I’m in good form and I want to win the top-scorer award this year. I can compete with young strikers like KRL’s Kaleemullah.

“This season is not just important for me but also for my team. The spirit of regaining form and overcoming our weakness is a bonding factor for us.”

The veteran footballer strongly advocates live telecasting of the matches. “We should follow India; their television channels telecast the local leagues. The same should be done in Pakistan.”

NBP beat PIA 1-0

Meanwhile in Karachi, NBP defeated PIA 1-0 with a winner from Farooq Shah in the 85th minute.

According to match official Shakoor Baloch, PIA and NBP pulled in a crowd of at least 3,000 people at the historical KMC Football Stadium.

Baloch agreed with Mehmood’s statement regarding the broadcasting of PPFL matches to promote the sport.

“The matches should be shown on the television to attract new fans,” said Baloch.

In today’s fixtures, KESC will play HBL in Karachi and Army will take on PAF in Lahore.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 3^rd, 2013.

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