PFF National Challenge Cup 2018: PAF beat Army 4-2 to move into semifinal

KARACHI: The 2014 edition champions Pakistan Air Force (PAF) progressed to the semifinals after beating Army 4-2 on penalties in the third quarterfinal of the PFF National Challenge Cup 2018 here at the KPT Sports Complex on Saturday.

After both sides failed to strike in the scheduled and extra time, PAF showed their supremacy in the penalty shootout, converting all the four attempts they made from the spot. Army on the hand missed twice out of four penalties they took. For Army Nisar Ahmed and goalkeeper Shehbaz Younis missed the targets while Shoaib Nisar and experienced Ansar Abbas struck from the spot. For PAF international striker Mansoor Khan, Mohammad Sohail, Samad Khan and Ghazanfar converted their penalties. PAF coach M Arshad credited his whole team for the outcome. “It was no doubt a tough game. The clash between forces always remain tough and today we saw a very interesting game which eventually we won on penalties. The credit goes to the whole team which fought bravely,” Arshad told ‘The News’ after a well-deserved victory. Arshad said that missed more chancs. “Both teams missed chances in the scheduled time but we squandered more,” said Arshad, also a former international. After conceding two goals from the spot Army changed their goalkeeper, bringing in Shehbaz in place of Jaffar Khan but the move also did not work. Army played in the event with young lot as only two of their players including Ansar Abbas and Shehbaz were experienced besides Jaffar who had opted to serve under the cage in the 24-team event because his side needed his services. Earlier in the scheduled and extra time either sides squandered several chances. Ahmed Rauf supervised the match while Mehboob Baloch and Arslan Sharif served as his assistants. Javed Bangash was the fourth official. PAF will now face the winners of the fourth quarterfinals which will be held between Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Bahawalpur’s Asia Ghee Mills on Sunday (today). The match will begin at 4pm. Debutants Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and four-time Premier League winners WAPDA have already qualified for the semifinals. The five-time winners KRL also had to face shock exit a few days ago after losing 0-1 to CAA. The event is being held after a lapse of three years which witnessed a legal tussle between Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) and its rival group. The issue not only prevented national teams from competing in international circuit but the country also failed to hold its Challenge Cup and national league during the same time-frame.