ALL SMILES: Four-time PPFL champions KRL won the National Challenge Cup in a one-sided affair, beating PIA 3-0 and securing a prize purse of Rs250,000. PHOTO: SHAFIQ MALIK/EXPRESS
KARACHI: The 2015 NBP National Challenge Cup final ended on an emotional note as KRL defeated PIA 3-0 at the Railways Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday.
The four-time Pakistan Premiere Football League (PPFL) champions took on nine-time national winners PIA in a one sided-match to establish themselves as top contenders for the next season.
Dawood Khan scored the opening goal in the third minute as KRL led 1-0 at the interval. Izharullah struck in the 50th minute and then sealed the win for his side just four minutes later.
“It’s what we’ve been waiting for after a rather disappointing PPFL season this year,” KRL coach Sajjad Mehmood told The Express Tribune. “My team outplayed PIA in every department and I’m proud of my boys. We remained undefeated at the Challenge Cup, now it’s all about maintaining our reputation as the most formidable side in the national circuit.”
Mehmood said that his goal will be to see his side win the upcoming PPFL season starting after August. He added that after a very tough phase, which saw top players like Kaleemullah and Muhammad Adil leaving the club, his resilience and patience was a test for him.
“I may induct a few new players before the PPFL season gets underway. I've recently included Umair Khan from Bannu, a 17-year-old, who can be very useful for us in the league,” said Mehmood.
Shamim Khan’s last defeat
PIA coach Shamim Khan, who will soon end his 40-year career with PIA, feels that reaching the final was an achievement in itself as the team had been without any new players for five years now.
“We were the underdogs here,” said Shamim. “I’m not bitter about losing the final. More than anything else, I’m proud of my team for getting here. We defeated top teams like K-Electric and Wapda and pushed ourselves to take the matches into the extra-time. “
Shamim added that five of his players were injured and some were suffering from fever, but they played the final regardless. “KRL and PIA are not equal teams. KRL have all the star players who are young, while the average age of my team is 28,” said Shamim.
“My players made this tournament memorable for me. I’ll be retiring and parting ways with the team on May 8 after serving for 40 years in PIA.”
The coach added, “If PIA don’t hire any new players, I think the club will be relegated from the league this season. There was a ban from the government on PIA from hiring any new employees and so our football team suffered too. My players are spent, they are exhausted and new talent needs to be inducted,” said Shamim as his parting note, wishing that PIA would regain their former glory in the future.
Prize money and awards
KRL bagged Rs250,000 after being declared winners and PIA pursed Rs150,000 with a silver medal. Army walked away with Rs75,000.
PIA’s Habibur Rehman was declared the best player of the tournament, while SSGC’s Ehsanullah Khan emerged as the best goalkeeper and PAF’s Muhammad Mujahid finished as the top-scorer. Each player received Rs15,000 for their efforts.
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