Football: PIA defeat Navy 2-1 in a thriller
In Group D match, Police defeated HBL 2-1 at KMC Ground. PHOTO: FILE
The last-minute penalty-kick for PIA changed their fate in the National Football Challenge Cup as they defeated Navy 2-1 at the KPT Stadium on Friday.
PIA opened their campaign in Group A against Navy, who earlier drew with national champions KRL.
PIA took the lead with their striker Shakir Lashari in the 39th minute and led 1-0 at the interval. Navy equalised on penalty-kick from Asif Bakhsh in the 71st minute.
However, PIA’s goal through Haji Mohammad on a penalty-kick in the third minute of extra-time turned the tables against Navy. “It was a difficult day for both the teams,” match-commissioner Ali Nawaz Baloch told The Express Tribune.
Baloch added that KRL and PIA’s match on Sunday will be important. “Navy has slim chances of going to the quarter-finals now. Had they won or drew this match it would’ve been a different story. The penalty-kick changed the game,” said Baloch.
Meanwhile, in Group D match, Police defeated HBL 2-1 at KMC Ground. Police sealed the win in the second minute of the extra-time towards the end of the match.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 29th, 2014.