KARACHI: National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) dented WAPDA’s chances of finishing on the victory podium when they held them to a goalless draw in the Pakistan Premier Football League here at KMC Stadium on Monday.
In a fast-paced game, both sides got several chances but failed to convert.
WAPDA’s coach Qasim Raza was disappointed by his team’s performance. “We lost so many chances,” he said after his team’s sixth drawn encounter.
“All our strikers are injured, so we have been facing problems in our finishing,” Qasim said.
“The loss has reduced our chances of finishing in the top three,” he said.
The single point lifted WAPDA to 33 points after 22 outings.
NBP’s coach Nasir Ismail said they failed to strike on counter-attacks. “We went on counter-attack twice but failed to score each time,” he said.
“Asif, Sher Ali and Adnan Nazar should have scored goals. This missing factor is hurting us because of the lack of maturity,” Nasir said.
However, he was happy with the way his young lot has been gaining experience. “Our young lot has been passing through a building process. They are getting exposure for the next season. I see a good future for my team,” said Nasir, a former assistant coach of Pakistan.
The single point stretched NBP’s tally to 27 with two games to play.
On Sunday here at KPT Sports Complex, Mohammad Dawood hit a lone goal to guide former champions Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) to a 1-0 victory over Karachi Port Trust (KPT).
Dawood struck the winner in the 24th minute to take KRL to 30 points after 20 outings.
On Tuesday (today), two-time champions Army will take on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) here at Korangi Baloch Ground in Sharafi Goth.