PAF down Wapda to reclaim National Challenge Cup

KARACHI: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Thursday recovered from one goal behind to beat Wapda 2-1 in the final to reclaim the crown of the PFF National Challenge Cup 2018 here at KPT Sports Complex on Thursday.

Wapda took the lead through Ahmed Fahim in the first half. However PAF levelled it through their captain Mujahid before half time. And in the second session Samad Khan scored through a header to seal a comfortable victory. PAF had grabbed their first crown in 2014. “I am very happy today as the boys lived up to the expectations,’ PAF coach Mohammad Arshad told ‘The News’.

“Wapda were good side but the way our boys penetrated in oppositions defence did the work,” said Arshad, also a former Pakistan’s striker.

It was indeed a battle between the outfits which play with similar style. WAPDA, who had mostly new players in their ranks, created ripples in PAF’s defence in the start. The four-time Premier League winners WAPDA came close to taking the lead just after the start but PAF’s defence did a fine job.

However Wapda kept the pressure and took the lead in the 11th minute through their key striker Ahmed Fahim who hit a fine goal through the crowded defence. Following a few incisive rallies from the right wing PAF levelled the score when their captain Mohammad Mujahid placed it nicely in between advancing international goalkeeper Muzammil Hussain and a defender in the 32nd minute.

At half time the match was evenly poised at 1-1. In the start of the second half WAPDA could have taken the lead but Ahmed Fahim’s pile-driver from edge of the area was smartly gathered by diving keeper Ghazanfar, who has been prolific throughout the 24-team event.

Soon afterwards PAF were unlucky when they failed to take the lead when Mujahid’s drive from inside the area crashed the bar.

In the 66th minute striker Samad Khan hit the decisive goal for PAF with a clinical header off a superb cross. Wapda coach Mohammad Habib defended his side. “I think our boys played well,” Habib told The News.

However he was quick to add that they had prepared a well-thought-out strategy but it is part of the game as one team has to lose. However he said that Premier League was their next target and they would win it. Sindh Football Association (SFA) chief Syed Khadim Ali Shah was the chief guest during the match.

Also present were the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) secretary Col Ahmed Yar Lodhi, Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) Managing Director Syed Wamiq Bukhari and senator Yousuf Baloch.

The winners PAF were handed over a glittering trophy and a purse of Rs one million. The runners-up Wapda received Rs700,000. The bronze medallists Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) got Rs500,000. Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) received Rs50,000 for being declared as the fair-play trophy winners.

Young striker Zaid Umar of PCAA got richer by Rs100,000 after being declared as the best player of the competitions. Zaid had represented Pakistan’s Under-13 team in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) event in Nepal in 2012.

Similarly, Rs50,000 each was handed over to Ghazanfar Yasin (best goalie, PAF), Nazir Khan (PPL, leading scorer, five goals) and Ahmed Rauf (best referee). The best assistant referee award of Rs30,000 was given to Mehboob Baloch.