KARACHI: International striker Mohammad Mujahid struck the winner in the second half as Pakistan Air Force (PAF) blasted their way into the semi-finals, beating disciplined Karachi United (KU) 1-0 in the quarter-final of the PFF Cup 2016 at Punjab Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday.
PAF, former National Challenge Cup champions, will meet the winners of the fourth quarter-final which will be held between KRL and WAPDA.
It was a fast-paced game with both sides offering tough resistance to each other. After a barren first half, PAF’s frontline, featuring Mansoor Khan and Mujahid, increased the pressure on the opposition through incisive rallies.
Mujahid capitalised on a cross from Mansoor in the 73rd minute to enable his side to cruise into the semi-finals.
In the last ten minutes, KU played aggressively but failed to level the score owing to splendid work from the PAF defenders.
PAF coach Mohammad Arshad told ‘The News’ that it was a tough match. “No doubt, KU played with discipline. They mostly had young players and they kept us under pressure with their short passes,” Arshad said.
“I am still happy with the result. We created many chances but could not convert them. I hope the team will not repeat the mistakes in the semi-final it made today,” said Arshad, a former international.
In the earlier quarter-final, Army overpowered Faisalabad’s Bhatti United 1-0 thanks to discarded international Ansar Abbas’ goal in the 85th minute.
On Wednesday (today), NBP will face SSGC. Both sides have a number of international players. “It will be an exciting game,” NBP coach Nasir Ismail told this correspondent.
