Army defeat Baloch FC 2-1 in PPFL

National goal-keeper Jaffar looks forward to comeback with two-time champions.

KARACHI: Army registered their fourth win in the ongoing season of the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) when they defeated Baloch FC 2-1 at the KPT Stadium yesterday.

Army began the league with consecutive wins earlier in the season in Lahore, but failed to maintain the momentum in the Karachi leg of the tournament.

The team is also playing without their captain and national goal-keeper Jaffar Khan, who picked up a knee-injury in March, while coach Shafqat Mehmood had said that he would be fielding at least eight new players this season.

Army took the lead against Baloch FC with Tanveer Shahid’s goal in the 14th minute, while Muhammad Shabbir sealed the victory just three minutes later. Baloch FC replied with Shahbaz Khan’s goal in the 24th minute, but was unable to salvage a draw. Army now have 17 points and are currently on the 10th place in the league.



Jaffar, who is accompanying his side while working on his fitness, said that Karachi has always been a tricky venue for Army.

“We always have a slow start in Karachi for some reason,” Khan told The Express Tribune. “We take time to adjust to the conditions here, but my team is picking up the pace.”

Meanwhile, Jaffar said that he will make a comeback this season.“I want to work on my fitness first. Hopefully I’ll play our last matches in Karachi or maybe in the beginning of the next leg in Lahore.”

Meanwhile, HBL drew their match with PAF 2-2. PAF took the lead with two goals from Mohammad Imran in the 14th minute and 26th minute, while HBL struck back with Khayal Mohammad’s goal in the 43rd minute. Mohammad Bilal then scored in the second minute of the injury time before the interval to level the match.

HBL fell to 11th position with 16 points, while PAF remained at 12th place with 15 points.

In another match, Wapda and Pak-Afghan Clearing Agency played a goalless draw.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 9^th, 2013.

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