KRL through to Challenge Cup quarters
HBL stun PAF to finish on top of Group D.
In the last group match, KRL showed their confidence when Saadullah scored the only goal in the ninth minute of the match. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
National champions KRL overcame PIA 1-0 to top Group A in the National Football Challenge Cup at the KPT Stadium on Sunday.
In the last group match, KRL showed their confidence when Saadullah scored the only goal in the ninth minute of the match.
With the result, KRL became the group winners, while PIA also went through as the runners-up in the pool
“It was a good performance by both the teams,” match-commissioner Ali Nawaz Baloch told The Express Tribune. “They both fought hard but KRL were the better side. Now the competition gets tougher in the quarter-finals. KRL will be playing against PAF and PIA face HBL.”
Meanwhile, at the KMC Football Ground, HBL made a surprise comeback against PAF to win 3-2 in a Group D encounter.
PAF, who were one of the top teams in the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) earlier this year, faced a tough challenge against HBL.
Despite facing relegation from the PPFL and being the underdogs in this tournament, HBL have proved that they are the team to look out for in the quarter-finals.
PAF coach ‘disappointed’ with performance
According to PAF coach Arshad Khan, losing a match after leading two goals is a bad result.
“We were leading the match till the second half, but HBL took us by surprise in the last 20 minutes,” he said.
“I have to admit that losing a match like this left us feeling disappointed. But I praise HBL for the show.
“We lost to them in the PPFL as well, and they gave another amazing performance.”
In today’s fixtures, NBP will play KPT in the first quarter-final of the tournament, while Wapda will take on Group B winners K-Electric.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 31st, 2014.
National champions KRL overcame PIA 1-0 to top Group A in the National Football Challenge Cup at the KPT Stadium on Sunday.
In the last group match, KRL showed their confidence when Saadullah scored the only goal in the ninth minute of the match.
With the result, KRL became the group winners, while PIA also went through as the runners-up in the pool
“It was a good performance by both the teams,” match-commissioner Ali Nawaz Baloch told The Express Tribune. “They both fought hard but KRL were the better side. Now the competition gets tougher in the quarter-finals. KRL will be playing against PAF and PIA face HBL.”
Meanwhile, at the KMC Football Ground, HBL made a surprise comeback against PAF to win 3-2 in a Group D encounter.
PAF, who were one of the top teams in the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) earlier this year, faced a tough challenge against HBL.
Despite facing relegation from the PPFL and being the underdogs in this tournament, HBL have proved that they are the team to look out for in the quarter-finals.
PAF coach ‘disappointed’ with performance
According to PAF coach Arshad Khan, losing a match after leading two goals is a bad result.
“We were leading the match till the second half, but HBL took us by surprise in the last 20 minutes,” he said.
“I have to admit that losing a match like this left us feeling disappointed. But I praise HBL for the show.
“We lost to them in the PPFL as well, and they gave another amazing performance.”
In today’s fixtures, NBP will play KPT in the first quarter-final of the tournament, while Wapda will take on Group B winners K-Electric.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 31st, 2014.