KRL clinch Quaid-e-Azam Departmental Football title

KARACHI: Four-time Premier League champions Khan Research Laboratories(KRL) were crowned champions when they overwhelmed Karachi Port Trust (KPT) 3-0 thanks to a double from Murtaza Hussain in the final of the First Naya Nazimabad Quaid-e-Azam Departmental Football tournament here at KMC Stadium on Sunday.

In front of a packed stadium, KRL showed their power, taking lead through Umair Ali very soon after the start and hit a double through striker Murtaza in the stoppage time, having left the hosts utterly fatigued.

Injuries-hit KPT, led by Mohammad Waseem, who had to go out in the second half due to fitness issues, showed some spark by launching counter-attacks but their frontline failed to produce a goal because of solid defence from the Rawalpindi-based side.

KRL manager Ayaz Butt said they fatigued the opponents. “You know KPT play in the middle. I had asked my boys to go all out and make them tired and you saw near the end they seemed helpless,” Ayaz told ‘The News’.

“It was great team work. I am happy with the way my brigade played in the whole tournament,” said the manager of KRL, who also have to their credit a record five National Football Challenge Cup titles.

He added that in the current situation such events were direly needed. “It helped all the teams. It was a fine event,” the official said.

KPT head coach Fareed Majeed was not happy with the way his side played. “It was not a good day for us. Near the end we wanted to level the score but we failed to avail ourselves of a few chances which created further pressure and we conceded two more goals,” said Fareed, a former international.

It was a fiery start from KRL which put them ahead when Umair’s pile-driver from distance went into the net.

KRL kept pressure and after 20 minutes Adnan Saeed’s header on a pin-point cross from Umair went off the target.

KPT counter-attacked but Zuabir Ahmed’s drive went over the framework when he had only to beat the keeper Saqib Hanif. Towards the end of the first half, KPT made a change, bringing in Jasim in place of Fareed.

At the stroke of half time, KPT squandered a solid chance. KRL were leading 1-0 at the interval.

KRL kept tightening screws on KPT in the second session, attacking them from the right flank which is considered their strong wing.

Abdul Samad could have doubled KRL’s lead in the 55th minute but his drive went wide.

Moments later both sides rallied forcefully but failed to finish them. After 60th minute midfielder Zia-us-Salam also failed to enhance KRL’s lead when his drive off a pass from Umair just missed the cross bar with keeper Sanaullah gloving it while leaping in the air.

KPT created panic inside KRL’s area but the country’s seasoned side thwarted the threat by blocking Zubair’s attempt.

And then Umair passed it to Murtaza who found Waseem Shehzad in front of the goal but the latter missed the target. Murtaza then twice tested KPT’s keeper but his shots went off the target.

Near the end fans started leaving the venue with KPT still struggling for an equaliser. But it did not happen as Murtaza hit twice inside two minutes in the stoppage time to seal a graceful win for KRL.

Murtaza put KRL 2-0 ahead in the 90+2 minute when he tactfully beat keeper Sanaullah, who was asking for an off-side instead of blocking the move.

The brace enabled Murtaza to tie with SSGC’s Lal Mohammad as both hit six goals each in the event.

One minute later substitute Yasir Afridi found Murtaza in front of the goal and the speedy striker made no mistake in nudging it past the keeper. Naya Nazimabad Housing Project chief Arif Habib distributed the prizes.