KRL dump SNGPL, move into quarters

KARACHI: Defender Mohammad Naveed’s lone goal put former champions Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) in the quarter-finals when they defeated Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) 1-0 in their Group D match of NBP Football Challenge Cup at Faisal Town Ground in Lahore on Saturday.
The winner came in the 87th minute.
It was the second victory for KRL which took them to six points from two appearances.
SNGPL, who suffered their second consecutive defeat, exited the 16-team event.
Despite the win KRL manager Ayaz Butt was not satisfied with his team’s performance.
“I am not yet happy with the way our team is playing. But still I hope we will do well in the knock-out stage,” said Butt.
He was quick to add that the induction of Saddam Hussain was positive for his side.
“Saddam has joined us again. He has cancelled his contract with Kyrgyzstan’s Dordoi FC. He does not want to continue with them. He had resigned from KRL but we have again got his services and that will help us as he is a fine player,” Butt added.
KRL earlier this month also relieved their coach Tariq Lutfi of his services after the former Pakistan’s coach’s contract with the Rawalpindi-based side expired on April 4.
Tariq joined KRL as coach three years ago after getting retirement from Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
Meanwhile, in the other match of the same group, Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) surprised four-time runners-up K-Electric with a goalless draw at Model Town Football Academy Ground to keep their hopes alive.
K-Electric’s coach Akbar Ali said they missed chances.
“We got a few solid chances but could not avail,” Akbar told this correspondent.
“In the end, Mohammad Essa’s pile-driver crashed the post and on rebound Mohammad Rasool’s drive also went off,” said Akbar.
He also lauded SSGC for their fine game.
“SSGC are a young side. They have hired eight to nine fresh players and they played really well,” Akbar said.
K-Electric moved to four points, while SSGC opened their account with one point. K-Electric will face KRL while SSGC will meet SNGPL and both are very important meetings especially for K-Electric and SSGC.
In Group A clash at Railways Stadium, National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) overpowered Saif Textiles 2-1 to keep their quarter-finals hopes alive.
After a barren first half, Maqbool put NBP ahead in the 46th minute. Saif Textiles levelled it through Mustafa’s strike in the 57th minute. However, it was in the stoppage time when Akmal struck the winner for NBP due to goalkeeping blunder to record their first win from two matches.
“We would have exited had the match ended in a draw,” NBP coach Nasir Ismail said.
“We luckily scored the winner in the end. Today I had put most of the junior lot. In the start we missed a few chances,” Nasir said.
Today’s fixtures: Army v Navy (Railways Stadium, Lahore), KPT v Ashraf Sugar Mills (Model Town Ground, Lahore), PAF v Railways (Faisal Town Ground, Lahore).