KARACHI: Pakistan Army remained in the second position in the Pakistan Premier League (PPL) as they defeated Pakistan Elecktron Limited (Pel) 2-1. Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) beat PMC Athletico 2-1 while former league leaders Afghan FC lost to Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) 4-2 in the PPL.
After losing the first four matches and drawing three, Army kept their second spot when Imran Hussain scored two goals. Even though, Pel hit back with a goal in the 78th minute through Muhammad Rashid, Army maintained their lead till the final whistle.
“We can’t afford to draw any match now, we have to win every match in order to beat Wapda,” Army coach Major Shafqat Mahmood told The Express Tribune. “We’ve been the most consistent side. For the past two years, Army ended the league on second position. It’s time to change that and win.”
While Army follows league leaders Wapda (50 points) with 39, KRL moved to the third spot with 33 after their win over Athletico.
In another match, Syed Ghazi Khan scored the opening goal as KRL led 1-0 at the interval before Ziaus Islam sealed the victory in the 74th minute. Kamran Anwar scored the only goal for Athletico two minutes later.
Meanwhile, Afghan FC wavered with their third consecutive defeat which cost them their second spot as they stand on eighth place with 38 points. KESC’s Muhammad Rasool scored a hat-trick against Afghan FC as Abdul Ghafoor sealed the victory for them in the 80th minute. Azizullah and captain Jadeed Khan scored for Afghan FC.
“The team has lost its form and no matter how hard I try I can’t carry the team all by myself,” said Jadeed. “Our defenders are not performing like they were in the beginning and we’re relying too much on a few players.”
In other matches of the day, Karachi Port Trust outplayed Sui Southern Gas Corporation 2-1 and National Bank of Pakistan played a draw against Baloch FC 2-2 in Karachi.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 9th, 2010.
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