KARACHI: After passing through a series of dismal display, the hot favourites Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) finally regained their form and thrashed the hosts Habib Bank Limited (HBL) by 4-2 in a crucial encounter of the Fourth Pakistan Premier Football League held here at the Peoples Football Stadium on Wednesday.
In another thriller Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) earned a goalless draw against Pakistan Navy here at KMC Football Stadium. Muhammad Essa led KRL finished their trip to Karachi with a little bit of consolation by beating HBL by 4-2. This was the first victory of KRL from five matches they played here. They lost to National Bank and KESC and drew against PIA and KPT.
But this win gave an edge to the star-studded side, and now they have 28 points from 15 outings, and are currently at number three, behind Army and National Bank, which are occupying first and second place respectively.
Muhammad Essa gave a good start to KRL, when he dribbled past the defenders and pushed the ball in the far post after beating the lone standing goalie. However, in the 38th minute the struggling HBL bounced back through the striker Khayyal Muhammad. Just before the interval, Muhammad Zubair struck for KRL, providing his side a 2-1 lead.
In the second half, KRL looked more comfortable and struck twice through Attiq-ur-Rehman (72nd minute) and Yasir Afridi (80th minute), taking their lead to 4-1. However, just before the final whistle, HBL reduced the deficit to 2-4 through a beautiful close range drive from Amjad Yousuf.
“We were in desperate need of a win to regain the lost rhythm, and I think the boys played well today. We still have a good chance to win the league if the boys put in their best in the coming matches,” KRL coach Sajjad Mehmood said.
Here at KMC Football Stadium, the thriller between PIA and Navy ended in a goalless draw. Both the teams played with full spirit, never allowing each other an opportunity to dominate. In the 24th minute, PIA’s goalkeeper Muhammad Bilal saved his side from a blow, when he made a diving save on a shoot from Navy’s Asif Mehmood from four yards.
In the second half, both the teams struggled, but could not break the deadlock. In the 88th minute, Navy’s Asif Mehmood dribbled past the defenders, but his gentle push at the end hit the goalie on his legs, while on rebound Farhan failed to beat the thick defence. With this draw, PIA pushed their points tally to 20 from 13 meetings while Navy have 21 points from 14 matches.
At Punjab Medical College (PMC) Ground Faisalabad, PMC earned a 1-1 draw against Railways. Railways opened their account in the 24th minute, when Muhammad Shahid struck on a penalty. However, in the 58th minute, PMC Tanveer-ul-Hassan scored the equaliser.
Today’s fixtures: KESC v PTV (KMC Football Stadium Karachi), Afghan Club v Army (Government High School Ground Chaman, Balochistan).
