LAHORE, Feb 4: Saeed Qureshi’s match-winner helped Railways win the PFF League soccer title, edging past favourites KESC 1-0 at Railways Stadium on Saturday. Railways dominated the first half but midfielder Aftab Ali missed sitters in the first, 29th and 41st minutes. Railways skipper Zaheer Abbas also missed a chance in the 17th minute.
After a barren first half, Saeed slammed home past KESC goalkeeper three minutes into session after some hard work by Asif Hameed.
KESC might have equalised in the 52nd minute but Abdul Ghafoor’s goal was disallowed by referee Naseer Ahmed after a foul by an attacker. Railways wasted a golden opportunity when Zaheer failed to find the cage after Nauman Ahmad pass in the 76th minute.
Searching for an equaliser, KESC made two substitutions a minute later but both Zahid and Sohail Nawaz failed to score. KESC missed another chance in the dying moments of the game when striker Shakir Lashari’s shot missed the target.
Railways and KESC have also qualified for Premier League. Railways received a cash prize of Rs100,000, while KESC got Rs50,000. Sindh Government Press pocketed Rs30,000 for third place.
Abdul Ghafoor of KESC, declared as the most valuable player received Rs25000, while top-scorer Zaheer Abbas, with eight goals, was awarded Rs20,000.
Mohammad Tariq of Railways was adjudged as the best goalkeeper of the tournament.