HEC shock KRL to reach Challenge Cup semis

LAHORE: Higher Education Commission (HEC) pulled off a huge upset when they conquered Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the National Football Challenge Cup at Islamabad on Tuesday.

Farrukh struck the winner for HEC in the 65th minute. This is a rare defeat for KRL in such major events. According to sources, KRL had surprisingly not called their goalkeeping coach Aslam Khan for the crucial event.

The team also did not have any highly qualified coach on the bench which hurt their mission in the competitions. Meanwhile, Army continued with their solid form and downed Navy 1-0 in the other quarter-final to make it to the semi-finals.

Qadeer Hussain struck in the 104th minute which enabled the soldiers to emerge triumphant. After the game ended in a goalless draw in the scheduled time, two halves of 15 minutes each were given and there Army managed the winner. Army coach and former Pakistan premier goalkeeper Jaffar Khan said that it was a tough game. “You know we have a young side and our game with Navy is always tough,” Jaffar told The News.

“Yes we kept pressuring the oppositions and in the extra time we did well to strike,” Jaffar said. In the remaining quarter-finals to be held on Wednesday (today), WAPDA will lock horns with Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and SA Gardens will be pitted against WSTC.