KARACHI, Aug 26: Two first half goals propelled Pakistan Navy to a 2-0 victory over PWD in the Premier League soccer at CDGK Stadium on Friday. The sailors were 1-0 up in the 30th minute when Mohammad Basharat found the target, while Yasir Iqbal doubled the lead six minutes later.

Wapda and National Bank (NBP) played a 0-0 draw in a match that could have ended in several goals but for poor finishing specially by Wapda.

The bankers got their first real scoring chance when referee Ejaz Hussain awarded a penalty kick after Wapda skipper Tanveer was ajudged to have handled ball in the box in the 25th minute.

Nisar Ali of NBP was the culprit as he squandered the opportunity, sending the ball over Wapda goalkeeper Luqman Rasheed and the bar.

On the other end ten minutes later NBP goalkeeper Auranzaib saved a 20-metre Arif drive, while a brilliant effort from 18 metres by Farooq Shah grazed the bar but could not find the net just a minute before halftime.

It was after breather that the two sides regrouped and fared better. Wapda might have opened the scoring two minutes into second session but Niaz’s shot was too weak to find the cage.

After lackluster play for a long time, Wapda again produced excitement in the 73rd minute with an excellent effort after some hard work by Shahid which saw substitute Khuda Bukhsh’s header missing the target from close range.

Two minutes later, Arif again pressed for the opening goal for Wapda with an 18-metre shot that missed the target.

It was the most promising move from Wapda in the 80th minute but the goal remained elusive after a perfect pass by Zulfiqar from the left squared into the path of rushing Khuda Bukhsh whose powerful drive sailed over the bar.

Arif was again guilty of wasting a sitter the next moment, although NBP keeper Aurangzaib was outside from his line and the defence was beaten.

The bankers tried through Sattar Mansoori whose drive 20 metres from outside was well taken by Luqman.

Aurangzaib saved well when Khuda Bukhsh hammered the ball from close range, while bankers were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty kick as Wapda’s Zakir seemed to handle the ball in the box in the dying moments of the game.

Saturday’s fixtures:
HBL v KRL;
KPT v Army.