KRL off to flying start in National Challenge Cup

KARACHI: The five-time winners Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) were off to an impressive start when they routed little known Sindh Government Press (SGP) 3-0 in their Group D opener of the PFF National Football Challenge Cup here at the All Brothers Football Club Ground in Malir on Tuesday. Umair Ali, Izharullah and Zeeshan Siddiqui hit one goal each in the first half to take a massive lead till interval. However in the second half tough game was witnessed with neither side scoring any goal. Former FIFA referee Jehangir Khan supervised the match. Meanwhile in Group H match here at the KPT Sports Complex Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) shocked strong K-Electric 1-0 to take a fine start to the 24-team event. After a barren first half Umair Javed hit the winner for SNGPL in the 60th minute. Earlier in the first half K-Electric squandered a few open net chances with experienced captain Mohammad Rasool failing to find the net on three occasions. K-Electric coach Hasan Baloch was not happy with the refereeing standard. “The refereeing standard was not good. We were denied two penalties,” he said. He said that it would have been much better to keep pre-quarter-finals in the event.