KRL in semi-finals of Quaid-e-Azam Football

KARACHI: Waseem Shehzad’s solitary goal enabled former four-time Premier League winners Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) to qualify for the semi-finals when they snatched a 1-0 win against Ashraf Sugar Mills of Bahawalpur in the third quarter-final of the First Naya Nazimabad Quaid-e-Azam tournament here at KMC Stadium on Monday.
Waseem hit the winner in the 36th minute in the hard-fought contest, which was witnessed by a thick crowd.ASM, owned by former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf, could have levelled the score in the second half but KRL’s keeper Saqib Hanif made a superb save.
“No doubt it was a tough game as the team from Punjab was not bad,” KRL manager Ayaz Butt told ‘The News’. “We got one chance and made the most of it. We created a couple of other chances but the rivals’ keeper saved both,” Butt said.KRL will face Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) in the semi-final on December 7.
Although SSGC are a tough side having a bunch of international players, Ayaz Butt was confident of beating them. “There will be no problem against SSGC. We will inshaAllah give tough time to them and will also try to beat them in the semi-final,” the official said.
Former Pakistan coach Tariq Lutfi is coaching SSGC which has recruited some quality players during the last couple of years.SSGC had crushed National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) 4-1 in their quarter-final the other day.In the last quarter-final on Tuesday (today), Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) face Karachi Port (KPT).