Army upset KRL 1-0 in PPFL

Team overcomes defending champions on penalty kick.

KARACHI:

Army stunned defending champions KRL 1-0 to replace PAF on fourth spot in the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) at the Model Town Football Ground in Lahore on Monday.

The two-time champions fought hard to tame KRL. Their player Muhammad Arif scored the winner in the 36th minute of the match on a penalty kick.

Army were on seventh position before this win.

“Winning a match against KRL at this point has given us a huge advantage,” Army’s seasoned goal-keeper Jaffar Khan, who is now assisting coach Shafqat Mehmood told The Express Tribune. “The achievement has renewed the team’s spirits. If we succeed in our remaining six matches – including another match with KRL in the following weeks – we’ll be on the victory stand.”

Meanwhile, KRL coach Tariq Lutfi said the team’s key players such as Kaleemullah, Muhammad Adil, Muhammad Abid, Rizwan and Saddam Hussain missed crucial opportunities during the match.



“Our players missed many chances to score, while Army availed each opportunity they had,” said Lutfi. “It was a fighting match. Army were lucky and hopefully we’ll avenge this defeat in our next match against them.”

Despite the result, KRL continue on second place with 53 points after 24 matches, while Army have 46 points to their credit.

In another match, Afghan FC defeated Lyallpur FC 1-0. Azizullah scored the winner to help Afghan FC replace NBP on 11th position place with 34 points. Lyallpur FC stand on the 14th spot with 22 points.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 21^st, 2014.

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