KESC strengthen top spot in PPFL
Rehman’s goal helps team defeat two-time champions Army 1-0.
"Both teams tried their best to score. It was an attacking game, but none of the chances were good enough," KESC coach Hassan Baloch. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
KESC continued to lead the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) points table with an important 1-0 win against two-time champions Army at the Battle X Ground in Lahore on Saturday.
The last year’s runners-up faced tough competition from Army as both teams played a goalless first half.
It was only in the 53rd minute that KESC’s Abdul Rehman scored the lone goal of the match. However, the team experienced a setback five minutes later when their defender Aurangzeb Baba was shown the red card.
“It was an important match to win,” KESC coach Hassan Baloch told The Express Tribune. “We were even in the first half, but KESC had to struggle a lot more when Baba got a red card.”
Baloch further said that the match depended on the defenders yesterday.
“I can’t say that our forwards missed too many opportunities. In fact, both teams tried their best to score. It was an attacking game, but none of the chances were good enough.
“Army defenders were great, and we found ourselves struggling with just 10 players in the field.”
KESC now have 49 points on the table after playing 23 matches. This was their 14th win in the season, whereas Army lag on seventh place with 35 points.
In another match, HBL drew 1-1 against Afghan FC at the Model Town Football Academy.
Muhammad Saeed scored the opening goal in the 22nd minute as HBL led 1-0 at the interval. However, Afghan FC’s Azizullah equalised the score in the 78th minute.
HBL continued on the ninth place with 31 points while Afghan FC stood on 10th spot with 30 points.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 12th, 2014.
KESC continued to lead the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) points table with an important 1-0 win against two-time champions Army at the Battle X Ground in Lahore on Saturday.
The last year’s runners-up faced tough competition from Army as both teams played a goalless first half.
It was only in the 53rd minute that KESC’s Abdul Rehman scored the lone goal of the match. However, the team experienced a setback five minutes later when their defender Aurangzeb Baba was shown the red card.
“It was an important match to win,” KESC coach Hassan Baloch told The Express Tribune. “We were even in the first half, but KESC had to struggle a lot more when Baba got a red card.”
Baloch further said that the match depended on the defenders yesterday.
“I can’t say that our forwards missed too many opportunities. In fact, both teams tried their best to score. It was an attacking game, but none of the chances were good enough.
“Army defenders were great, and we found ourselves struggling with just 10 players in the field.”
KESC now have 49 points on the table after playing 23 matches. This was their 14th win in the season, whereas Army lag on seventh place with 35 points.
In another match, HBL drew 1-1 against Afghan FC at the Model Town Football Academy.
Muhammad Saeed scored the opening goal in the 22nd minute as HBL led 1-0 at the interval. However, Afghan FC’s Azizullah equalised the score in the 78th minute.
HBL continued on the ninth place with 31 points while Afghan FC stood on 10th spot with 30 points.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 12th, 2014.