National Challenge Cup: Hoping to win the trophy despite the odds: Essa

K-Electric skipper hopeful in the absence of Nigerian strikers, injured teammates


Our Correspondent April 21, 2015
K-Electric finished second in Group D to make it to the last-eight. PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: K-Electric captain Essa Khan believes his side can win the National Challenge Cup trophy this time around despite ending as runners-up four times in a row.

Although they played out a goalless draw against KRL at Model Town Football Ground in Lahore on Tuesday, the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) champions qualified for the quarter-finals with five points in Group D, finishing second to the Rawalpindi-based side.

“Of course there is some pressure as we are the current PPFL winners,” Essa told The Express Tribune. “But I believe we can break this cycle of finishing as the runners-up in the tournament. We really need to improve quickly. So far we’ve had tough luck as several of our players are injured.”

The skipper said that another drawback has been the unavailability of the Nigerian strikers for his side, who were unable to obtain visas in time to come to Pakistan.

“We are playing without our Nigerian strikers Sunday Obiyuni and Wilsom. We are struggling but we are hoping to win the trophy despite the odds.”

Essa added that the quarter-final against PIA will be a tough match for the team.

Meanwhile, in a Group B match, Navy thrashed Ashraf Sugar Mills 3-1 at Faisal Town Football Stadium.

Hassan Faiz scored a hat-trick in the second-half, while Ashraf Sugar Mills managed to grab a consolation through Muhammad Azeem in the 88th minute.

SSGC also crushed SNGPL 6-2 in their Group D encounter. Saeed scored the opening goal in the fourth minute of the match for SSGC before Bilawalur Rehman doubled the lead in the 17th minute. Hameed also contributed with his goal seven minutes later as SSGC led 3-0 at the interval.

Muhammad scored a brace in the 54th and 79th minute before Umair managed to net in the 60th minute. Saad and Faheem scored for SNGPL in the 57th and 88th minute respectively.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 22nd, 2015.

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