Chaman, DFA Panjgoor outclass rivals to move into final

KARACHI: The last edition’s runners-up Chaman and District Football Association (DFA) Panjgoor qualified for the final of the PPL Balochistan Football Cup 2017 when they defeated their respective rivals Quetta City and defending champions DFA Quetta in the semi-finals at Ayub Stadium Quetta on Saturday.

In the first semi-final which was a gripping affair, Chaman, the hub of football in Balochistan, played with solid approach to seal a hard-earned win in the end over Quetta City in front of a large crowd.

At the end of the first half, the game was still a goalless affair. In the second half, both the sides played in attacking mood but it were Chaman who struck the winner through discarded international Hayatullah in the dying moments.

Meanwhile in the other semi-final, Panjgoor, playing for the first time in the event, impressed the viewers through their disciplined approach on the field. In the encounter, DFA Quetta made some lapses in defence that cost them the prized show.

At half time the game was 1-1 draw. However, in the second half, Panjgoor put Quetta in deep pressure and finally striker Shoukat Baloch shattered the hosts’ hopes of qualifying for another final when he headed one into the far post in the final moments to seal a sensational win for the visitors.

The final will be held on Sunday (today). The knock-out stage is being telecast live. As many as 37 outfits from across the province were part of the competitions. The initial round had been held in the six divisional head-quarters of the province.