PPFL: NBP defeat Army 1-0 to escape relegation
I’m satisfied with my team’s performance in PPFL, says coach Ismail.
Army and NBP saw a goalless first half, with Farooq Shah scoring the winner in the 83rd minute of the match. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
NBP defeated Army 1-0 in a do-or-die match to secure their place in the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) in Lahore on Monday.
With the win, NBP escaped relegation and concluded the league on ninth position with 37 points, replacing Afghan FC.
Army and NBP saw a goalless first half, with Farooq Shah scoring the winner in the 83rd minute of the match. This was NBP’s ninth win in the season — they drew 10 and lost 11 out of 30 matches.
“I’m very happy with my team,” NBP coach Nasir Ismail told The Express Tribune. “I had the youngest team in the league with many junior players, and I believe they performed well.”
Ismail said that the team faced a tough time in the absence of senior players from the side, who missed the league due to injuries.
“Many senior players had injuries, so the junior players had to carry the responsibility,” he said. “They played under pressure as well, and I’m satisfied with their performance.
“In the future though, I’d want to have two more strikers and two defenders on my side. But right now we’ll focus on defending the National Challenge Cup later this year," he added.
NBP produced some thrilling moments with their win against KRL in which their 15-year-old striker Munir Ahmed scored showing a glimpse of the potential in Ismail’s team.
“Since that match, no one takes Ahmed lightly,” said the coach. “I don’t have seasoned strikers like in the other teams, but Ahmed makes an impact whenever he enters the field.”
Meanwhile, Army have 49 points on fifth position. They will play their last match against KRL on February 5.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 4th, 2014.
NBP defeated Army 1-0 in a do-or-die match to secure their place in the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) in Lahore on Monday.
With the win, NBP escaped relegation and concluded the league on ninth position with 37 points, replacing Afghan FC.
Army and NBP saw a goalless first half, with Farooq Shah scoring the winner in the 83rd minute of the match. This was NBP’s ninth win in the season — they drew 10 and lost 11 out of 30 matches.
“I’m very happy with my team,” NBP coach Nasir Ismail told The Express Tribune. “I had the youngest team in the league with many junior players, and I believe they performed well.”
Ismail said that the team faced a tough time in the absence of senior players from the side, who missed the league due to injuries.
“Many senior players had injuries, so the junior players had to carry the responsibility,” he said. “They played under pressure as well, and I’m satisfied with their performance.
“In the future though, I’d want to have two more strikers and two defenders on my side. But right now we’ll focus on defending the National Challenge Cup later this year," he added.
NBP produced some thrilling moments with their win against KRL in which their 15-year-old striker Munir Ahmed scored showing a glimpse of the potential in Ismail’s team.
“Since that match, no one takes Ahmed lightly,” said the coach. “I don’t have seasoned strikers like in the other teams, but Ahmed makes an impact whenever he enters the field.”
Meanwhile, Army have 49 points on fifth position. They will play their last match against KRL on February 5.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 4th, 2014.