May 16, 2008	Friday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 10, 1429

KARACHI, May 15: Two-goal Sajjad Ahmad helped Navy become the new National Challenge Cup soccer champions with a deserved 3-1 victory over a battling KRL who rued missing a second-half penalty kick at the Peoples Sports Complex on Thursday.

The final which started at a fast pace saw the first half deadlocked at 1-1 but it was Sajjad, who was also the highest scorer of the tournament with six goals, slammed a header off a Nasir Hussain cross in the 13th minute.

There was resolute response from the KRL as they took just six minutes to pull the leveller.

It was again experienced and talented international Mohammad Essa, who like in the previous matches, was terrorising the opposition with his dangerous moves. Referee Jahangir Khan awarded a penalty to KRL when Essa attempted but Navy defender Waseem Khan handled the ball. Shahid Ahmad stepped in to do the needful and slotted home from the spot past Navy goalkeeper Mohammad Shahzad.

The sailors came near scoring their second five minutes before the first half whistle but this time Sajjad fumbled near the goal while his effort went in vain.

There was real drama in the second session as both sides rattled each other with counter-attacks. Navy wasted a chance when Abdul Haque failed on a free kick in the 50th minute, while KRL squandered the opportunity a minute later when Mohammad Abid’s effort sailed over the bar.

KRL perhaps had the best chance to score two minutes later but were unlucky when Abid shook the crossbar off an Essa pass but the ball bounced back without crossing the goal-line.

KRL had to withstand furious pressure applied by Navy who were now making forays deep into losers’ territory. First international Nomi Martin missed on a free kick and, soon afterwards, Sajjad wasted a Farhan free kick.

Attacks unleashed by sailors finally paid dividends in the 69th minute when Nomi floated a free kick and Sajjad made no mistake in slamming home off a rebound after KRL goalkeeper Amir Qureshi fumbled and spilled the ball.

Yet there was no respite for KRL who were rocking and rolling under Navy attacks. It was a slipshod work by the KRL defenders and Amir as well that the third goal came through an opportunist strike by Asif Mahmood from within the box in the 80th minute.

KRL were jubilant when they were awarded a penalty kick after Waseem hacked an attacking Ziaul Islam in the box in the 80th minute. But their joy was short-lived, and to make matters worse, Shahid failed miserably from the spot as Shahzad dived to his left to make a stupendous save.

Although KRL did try to reduce the margin, it was difficult to control belligerent sailors who were undeterred despite Essa’s presence.

After from the winners’ trophy, Navy pocketed a cash prize of Rs100,000, while KRL received Rs75,000 and NBP Rs50,000 for their third place finish.

Samar Ishaq of KRL was adjudged the best player of the tournament to receive a cash prize of Rs15,000, while PIA’s Rafiq Bilal was declared best goalkeeper and received Rs10,000. Sajjad, being the highest scorer also got Rs10,000 and Wapda received fair play trophy.