LAHORE: Pakistan Railways surprised Pakistan Navy by snatching a 2-2 draw in a grand exhibition of collective efforts in the second half in the 3rd Pakistan Premier League (52nd National Football Championship), here on Monday at the Railways stadium.
The seamen were two-nil up at one stage but failed to keep their two-goal advantage under the fierce Railways attack which managed a draw. Meanwhile, at the Army Stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan Army are well on the way to retain the title by recording their fifth successive win. They overran Chaman’s Afghan Club 2-0.
The soldiers have managed 15 points from their five outings so far while Afghan mustered only one point from as many matches and are in danger of relegation. Midfielder Mohammad Ramzan became the first goal scorer for Navy when he punished a defensive-blunder in the 9th minute and squeezed the ball past goal keeper Mohammad Tariq. Earlier, in their previous three matches, Navy were not able to score a single goal.
Midfielder Nomi Martin Gill doubled the margin in the 35th minute with a fierce, low drive in the right corner. The Rana Zaheer Ahmed-led Navy were 2-0 up at half-time.
Railways, in danger of losing their unbeaten record, reduced the arrears in the 50th minute when left-winger Mohammad Akram raced into the penalty-area and his angular drive went beyond the reach of keeper Mohammad Shahzad. Eight minutes later, Railways’ leading scorer Asif Hameed struck his third goal of the event by making it 2-2.
The Match Commissioner was Mian Rizwan Ali while Yunus Kiani acted as Referee Assessor. Naeem Zaidi supervised the match, assisted on the line by Waheed Murad and Rauf Bari.
Three-time national title-holder Pakistan Army gave no room whatsoever to the Afghan Club and led 1-0 through winger Muzaffar Ali’s goal in the 33rd minute. The soldiers were home and dry when Faheem Riaz made it 2-0 in the 81st minute.
The Match Commissioner was Mohammad Zaman while Shahid Ahmed Khan acted as Referee Assessor. Mohammad Sharif supervised the match, assisted on the line by Amir Iqbal and Niaz Hussain.
