KRL looking to secure third PPFL title

Defending champions defeat Afghan FC 2-0 to continue on second spot.

KARACHI: Defending champions KRL edged closer to the top spot in the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) after their win against Afghan FC 2-0 in Lahore on Friday.

Kaleemullah scored the opening goal in the 21st minute of the match as KRL led 1-0 at the interval. Muhammad Qasim then went on to seal victory for his side as he struck the net in the 72nd minute.

Winning their 16th match of the season, KRL strengthened their place in second position with 53 points following KESC, who are on top of the table with 56 points. Meanwhile Wapda sit in third place with 49 points.



“The Lahore leg has been better compared to Karachi,” KRL coach Tariq Lutfi told The Express Tribune. “The team has finally picked up. I was a little worried in the beginning that we had a slow start, but now things are falling into place. Hopefully we’ll win our third PPFL title in a row.”

Lutfi further stated that the next two matches would be crucial for KRL, saying that games against Army, KESC and PAF would decide their fate in the league for this season.

“KESC is performing well, but I think Wapda are playing to win. If we win our next match, we’ll be able to take over both KESC and Wapda.”

In another match, two-time champions Army defeated Muslim FC 2-0.

They took the lead during injury-time of the first-half with Muhammad Zafar’s goal, while Muhammad Arif doubled the score in the 65th minute.

Despite the result, Muslim FC continue in sixth place with 43 points, while Army stand on seventh with 39 points.

On the other hand, Lyallpur FC contained KPT in a 1-1 draw. KPT are in eighth position while Lyallpur FC stay in the 14th spot.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 18^th, 2014.

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