May 05, 2008	Monday	Rabi-us-Sani 28, 1429

KARACHI, May 4: A goalkeeping blunder saw Asif Mahmood score the winner to help Pakistan Navy cruise into the National Challenge Cup soccer quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over PAF at the CDGK Stadium on Sunday.

After both sides struggled hard to draw first blood in the opening half, the sailors succeeded in netting the all-important goal in the second session.

International Nomi Martin created ripples in the 66th minute, but his free kick was taken by PAF goalkeeper Khalid.

Navy had their best chance to open the scoring two minutes later when Farhan threatened Khalid with a sharp, angular drive from the left that went across the goal while grazing the bar.

As Navy started making dangerous forays deep into PAF territory, the airmen obviously felt pressure and buckled when the sailors found the cage in the 70th minute.

After Sajjad Ahmad’s effort was spilled by Khalid, Asif made no mistake in slotting home the rebound with ease, past the bewildered custodian.

While the airmen made counter raids, Navy were defending solidly and almost eight of the 11 players could be seen in the box to defend whenever PAF tried through a corner or a free kick.

As the airmen started getting frustrated, a rough tackle by PAF’s bearded Zahid didn’t see any caution from referee Ibrar Hussain, leave alone a yellow card.

Nomi once again dashed through a weak PAF defence before sending a cross which was taken by Khalid in the absence of Navy attacker in the position.

It was at the fag end of the game that PAF started making real onslaughts only to see an impregnable Navy defence thwarting their moves.

PAF might have pulled the equaliser in the 79th minute but Zeeshan’s effort was timely saved by Navy defender Mohammad Shafiq.

PAF’s Arshad could have scored the leveller a minute later but all he could do was to send his shot over the bar.

Unimpressed with PAF’s attacks, Navy once again pinned the airmen’s raids which didn’t produce results but contained the opposition. First Asif tried from 20 yards but missed the target in the 86th minute and then Navy livewire Farhan again tested Khalid with an angular shot that breezed across the face of the goalpost barely few seconds before the end.

Meanwhile, Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) also reached the last eight with an unimpressive 1-0 win over minnows PEL.

After remaining goalless in the first half, KRL eventually grabbed the match-winner when Shahid Ahmad banged home a penalty kick in the 79th minute.

Monday’s fixtures: Karachi Port Trust v Habib Bank at Peoples Sports Complex; NBP v SSGC at CDGK Stadium.