KRL confident ahead of historic final
Side to face Balkan FC in hopes of winning AFC President’s Cup.
KRL became the first Pakistan team to reach the final and will now look to preserve their place in the history books if they win. PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE:
Pakistan Premier Football League defending champions KRL will aim to win the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President’s Cup 2013 trophy as they face Turkmenistan’s Balkan FC at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Malacca today.
KRL became the first Pakistan team to reach the final and will now look to preserve their place in the history books if they win.
The team’s assistant coach Sajjad Mehmood told The Express Tribune that he was confident about KRL’s chances as he stated, “The side is playing its best football and the players are on a high.”
Meanwhile, KRL manager Ayaz Butt also believed his side could win the historic final.
“So far our team has played like a unit and hopefully we will be able to win the trophy,” said Ayaz Butt. “It will be a historic moment for Pakistan’s football if we triumph.”
KRL scored three goals in the second round during the Group B matches, while Balkan FC scored 10 goals against Nepal’s Three Star Club and Mongolia’s Erchim FC.
Meanwhile, KRL has received support from home to win the tournament.
Khalid Butt, the Wapda coach whose team played the semi-final of the President’s Cup in 2009, and remained the only Pakistan club till now to do so, commented on KRL’s chances.
“KRL has eight national players in the team so they should win. I think the coach did an excellent job as well.”
Butt added that a victory from KRL in the event would give the sport a huge boost in Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 29th, 2013.
Pakistan Premier Football League defending champions KRL will aim to win the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President’s Cup 2013 trophy as they face Turkmenistan’s Balkan FC at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Malacca today.
KRL became the first Pakistan team to reach the final and will now look to preserve their place in the history books if they win.
The team’s assistant coach Sajjad Mehmood told The Express Tribune that he was confident about KRL’s chances as he stated, “The side is playing its best football and the players are on a high.”
Meanwhile, KRL manager Ayaz Butt also believed his side could win the historic final.
“So far our team has played like a unit and hopefully we will be able to win the trophy,” said Ayaz Butt. “It will be a historic moment for Pakistan’s football if we triumph.”
KRL scored three goals in the second round during the Group B matches, while Balkan FC scored 10 goals against Nepal’s Three Star Club and Mongolia’s Erchim FC.
Meanwhile, KRL has received support from home to win the tournament.
Khalid Butt, the Wapda coach whose team played the semi-final of the President’s Cup in 2009, and remained the only Pakistan club till now to do so, commented on KRL’s chances.
“KRL has eight national players in the team so they should win. I think the coach did an excellent job as well.”
Butt added that a victory from KRL in the event would give the sport a huge boost in Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 29th, 2013.