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| June 16, 2003 | Monday | Rabi-us-Sani 15, 1424 |
Baloch cash in on fouls
KARACHI, June 15: Baloch Mohammadan outplayed ten-man Mekran Sports 3-1 in an ill-tempered game of the KASB Premier League third round at CDGK ground on Sunday.
Mekran Sports paid heavily for two second half fouls near the area as Baloch Mohammadan were on target when they converted both the penalty kicks.
After a barren first half, Baloch Mohammadan broke the ice in the 44th minute, Ghulam Shabbir slamming home the penalty after Mekran Sports defender Mohammad Asif committed a foul on Ismail Baba near the goal area.
Ismail, the player of the match, converted the second spot kick after his teammate Mohammad Jan was felled by Mekran Sports goalkeeper Noor Baba in the 51st minute.
Barely after a few seconds, Mekran Sports suffered again when they were reduced to ten players with Imran Khan receiving a red card for dissent and misconduct.
Basit Ali scored consolation goal for Mekran Sports in 52nd minute.
Baloch Mohammadan took full advantage of the situation and completed the tally a minute before the final whistle, Abdul Samad firing home the third that sealed the fate of the match.
Aga Khan Gymkhana, meanwhile, shared points after they forced a 0-0 draw with Pakistan Petroleum at former’s grassy ground.
Although the scoreline does not indicate much it was a keen tussle, both the sides fought hard for supremacy, especially in the second half, but were left ruing a number of missed chances.
Sajidullah, the player of the match, was almost on target a minute before break after he dodged past two defenders near the box, his weak side-footed shot was well taken by Pakistan Petroleum custodian Gulzar Hussain.
The nimble-footed striker Sohail Pervaiz came off the bench a minute after the re-start to reply for Aga Khan Gymkhana only to see his 18-yard drive missing the target.
Two excellent efforts from Pakistan Petroleum’s Waseem Ahmad went in vain as his lob sailed over the bar in the 38th minute and then he squandered a crisp Sheeraz pass four minutes later.
Gulzar was again tested in the 45th minute later when Aga Khan Gymkhana’s Arif Hussain came into action from 20 yards. Nazimuddin wasted another sitter for Aga Khan Gymkhana off a Sohail cross in the 47th minute.
A 50th minute attack by Pakistan Petroleum through Altaf saw the ball going astray. Aga Khan Gymkhana retaliated when lanky Wazir Ali’s right-foot powerful drive from 18 yards went straight to Gulzar.
Favourites Hyderi Baloch maintained their top spot after the completion of third round followed by Baloch Mohammad and hosts Karachi United.
Fourth round fixtures:
June 19: Karachi United v LLWC at DHA Stadium.
June 20: Hyderi Baloch v Nawab XI at CDGK Stadium.
June 21: Baloch Mohammadan v Pakistan Petroleum at CDGK Stadium.
June 22: Aga Khan Gymkhana v Bhutta Mohammadan at Aga Khan Gymkhana; Usmanabad Union v Mekran Sports at Usmanabad Stadium.
Standings after third round (played, won, draw, lost, goals for, goals against, points):
Hyderi Baloch 3 3 0 0 11 2 9
Baloch Mohammadan 3 2 1 0 5 2 7
Karachi United 3 2 1 0 5 2 7
Nawab XI 3 1 1 1 1 1 4
Pakistan Petroleum 3 1 1 1 1 1 4
LLWC 3 1 0 2 5 4 3
Mekran Sports 3 1 0 2 2 4 3
Usmanabad Union 3 1 0 2 1 4 3
Aga Khan Gymkhana 3 0 2 1 2 4 2
Bhutta Mohammadan 3 0 0 3 1 10 0
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