PIA climb to third place in football league

Nine-time national champions defeat PEL 1-0.

KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) regained their third spot in the Pakistan Premier League after defeating Pakistan Elektron Limited (Pel) 1-0.

PIA’s Nazeer Ahmed scored the match-winning goal in the 27th minute when he swept the ball past Pel’s goal-keeper Saqib Hanif to give the nine-time national champions the lead at the interval. The second half became tense when the referee red-carded PIA midfielder Saddam Hussain for a foul.

Pel missed chances to equalise as PIA goal-keeper blocked attempts by forwards Saadullah, Asmatullah and Riaz Ahmed to make sure the lead remained intact.

PIA, who were earlier replaced by Pakistan Army for the third place, now have 46 points after 24 matches while Pel are placed eighth in the 16-team league with 37 points.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 9^th, 2010.