Football fever grips KP, Balochistan as Ufone Cup in full swing

KARACHI: Football fever has gripped Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan as the sports extravaganza Ufone Football Cup is in full swing in both the provinces simultaneously.

The regional teams are engaged in fierce face-offs to secure slots in the ‘Eliminator’ round before they can make their way to the upcoming knock out stages; Super 8s, semifinals and finals.

Two matches were played under the Balochistan leg of the tournament. DFA Kalat met DFA Mastung at Mir Ghous Baksh Bazinjo Stadium in Khuzdar where a large number of football enthusiasts had gathered to catch the action live.

Both were unrelenting in their pursuit of success but the efforts of DFA Kalat paid off early as their key player Riaz scored the first goal in the 26th minute. The team’s domination was reinforced by another beautiful goal from Ghulam in the 58th minute. Jamil cemented his team’s grip on the match by scoring the third goal in the 65th minute.

DFA Mastung found their form in the 79th minute where Siraj scored for his team but it was already too late to stage a comeback and they conceded the match 3-1 to Kalat.

DFA Surab and DFA Lasbella faced off in the other match played at the same venue. The teams fought it out for the entire stipulated time but no goals could be scored. The game was then decided on penalty strokes.

DFA Surab scored two goals on their turn but DFA Lasbella emerged as the better side by scoring three goals to clinch the victory.

Meanwhile, the KP leg of the tournament is quickly catching up with equal excitement for both players and spectators.

On Thursday, DFA Kohat faced DFA Hangu at Kohat Sports Complex.

DFA Kohat player Zia Khan had the ball meet the net in the 15th minute into the match. He sent the crowd into frenzy by scoring another exciting goal just 3 minutes later to put his team in command.

His teammate Tanveer scored the third and decisive goal to seal the win for his team in the 27th minute.

DFA Hungu, despite their persistent efforts, could not recover and lost the match 3-0.

The winners of Balochistan and KP legs of the tournament will play a super final in Peshawar on December 3.