August 30, 2007	Thursday	Sha'aban 16, 1428

LAHORE, Aug 29: While Karachi and Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad, registered wins, Faisalabad held Islamabad-A to a goalless draw on the second day of the 19th national U-18 football championship at the Model Town ground here on Wednesday.

Karachi recovered from a 1-2 deficit at the interval to beat hosts Model Town Club 3-2.

The hosts enjoyed the services of all the six players, who were selected from England, recently to serve the country. However, Karachi displayed a fine show to record a creditable win.

Surprisingly, the PFF has allowed all the six England-based players to represent Model Town Club, against the previous decision of inducting two players in each of the participating teams.

Led by Nasir Ismail, Karachi’s Abdul Jabbar put his team into the lead in the seventh minute with a solo effort. But one minute later, Model Town Club levelled the score through Rizwan.

Model Town Club, having the services of Birmingham’s Umar Javed, Bradford’s Irfan Khan, Usman Hussain, Lancashire’s Khizar Akber, Halifax’s Khurram Shahzad and Manchester’s Haroon Ishaq, wasted several chances, before Irfan put them ahead 2-1 in the 27th minute, mainly due to a defence blunder.

Karachi dominated the second session scoring two goals. Firstly, Abdul Jalil made it 2-2 in the 61st minute while striker Atif earned the match winner in the 78th minute.

Later, in group ‘A’, Islamabad Whites and Faisalabad produced a goalless draw at the same venue.

Meanwhile, Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad on their debut, outplayed Islamabad 3-0 in a group ‘B’ tie.

The winners led the first half 2-0. Striker Shahid Iqbal struck the opener in the 5th minute and Mohammad Tauseef doubled the lead in the 27th. Ali Ishtiaq completed the tally in the 81st minute.