KRL confirm a record third PPFL title

Defending champions defeat Army 3-1 in Lahore.

KARACHI: KRL made history by confirming their third consecutive title of the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) on Wednesday when they thrashed Army 3-1 at Battle X Ground in Lahore.

Kaleemullah scored the opener in the 11th minute of the match, while Saddam Hussain doubled the score in the 29th to give KRL a 2-0 lead at the interval.

Muhammad Dawood then went on to seal the win in the 61st minute, while Army replied back with just a solitary goal through Imran Hussain in the 83rd minute.

KRL had a rough start after being absent during the initial stage of the season due to their participation in the 2013 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President’s Cup 2013 where they ended at the second spot.



Being the last team to begin the league last October, KRL were challenged by KESC and Wapda for the top position in the PPFL.

“I’ve kept telling my players that we’ll ensure the title before the last match of the season,” KRL coach Tariq Lutfi told The Express Tribune. “It’s been a tough journey and it feels great that we managed to defend our crown successfully.”

Lutfi said that the team had played under pressure and was not satisfied with their performance during the first leg of the competition.

“We all felt the pressure. However, we had many counselling sessions to find the confidence again before the second leg started.”

KRL will now represent Pakistan in the next edition of the AFC President’s Cup.

KRL stand on top of the table with 68 points after scoring 53 goals and conceding only nine from their 29 matches.

They had initially secured their first PPFL title in 2009, while they have carried on as title-holders since 2011.

On the other hand, Army finished in fifth place with 49 points.

Chase for second place between KESC, WAPDA

In another fixture, KESC drew against Wapda in a goalless match on Wednesday. Both teams have 63 points each to their credit.

Wapda played their last match and concluded their campaign in second position, KESC have a chance to replace them if they either draw or win their last match which will be played on February 8.

“Even playing a draw against KRL [in our last game] will do the trick, we can still take the second spot,” said KESC coach Hasan Baloch.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 6^th, 2014.

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