KARACHI, June 22: Asim Faiz's brilliant second half hat trick propelled Karachi Port Trust (KPT) to a sparkling 7-3 victory over Naka Mohammadan in the national football league on Tuesday.
KPT, who had forced a 2-2 draw against HBL earlier before losing the second game to the bankers 2-0, got off to a flying start, grabbing 4-2 lead before breather at CDGK Stadium.
Naka Mohammadan gave KPT a fright when they went ahead through Rais Khan in the 15th minute. Their joy, however, short-lived as Naseer Ahmad equalised, banging home a corner barely 60 seconds later.
KPT knocked the life out of Naka Mohammadan with a three-goal burst before going for the break. Fareed Majeed made it 2-1 through an individual effort in the 23rd minute and got his second after being set up by Lal Bukhsh three minutes later.
Mohammad Asif pounced two minutes later to get the fourth. But Naka Mohammadan battled back to reduce the margin through Asif Khan in the 34th minute. The first half saw Naka Mohammadan's Rais (11th minute), Nizam Khan (33rd minute) and Saleh Mohammad (45th minute) getting booked.
KPT maintained their dominance yet into the second half with Asim going on a rampage through Naka Mohammadan defences. Asim's first goal came two minutes after re-start before Naka Mohammadan netted their third, Dil Murad converting a 63rd-minute penalty.
KPT sealed the fate of the game, Asim completing his hat trick with 77th and 82nd minute strikes. Two first half goals gave Habib Bank (HBL) a 2-0 win over Mauripur Baloch at Aga Khan Gymkhana.
Although the bankers had upper hand, especially in the opening session and could have scored more goals, failed owing to poor finishing. The bankers started the game by missing several chances, striker Shahid Saleem failing to score from close before his another shot was well taken by Mauripur Baloch goalkeeper Abdul Lateef.
Abdul Qayyum managed to beat Lateef but was prevented from scoring by Mauripur Baloch defender Abdul Rasheed. Mauripur Baloch came near scoring but wasted the chance as Rashid's try off a rebound was taken by HBL goalkeeper Mohammad Shahzad.
HBL finally broke the ice in the 28th minute with Ayub Taj slamming home a Qayyum cross as the Mauripur Baloch defence and keeper failed to clear the danger. It was strong breeze blowing towards Mauripur Baloch goal rather than the will which gave HBL their second goal in the 36th minute.
A half-hearted try by Qayyum from 16 metres out after a Amjad Yousuf cross saw the ball curl into net through Lateef's gloves. Mauripur Baloch did not take advantage of windy weather like the bankers who had a tough time making inroads into opposition's territory and relied on long range efforts throughout second period.
Qayyum's 18 metre drive went above the bar, while Pervaiz Ahmad's long range try was punched away by Lateef. Abdul Rasheed could have reduced the margin but his low, skidding drive was saved by a diving Shahzad in the 80th minute. Rasheed was yellow carded for a crunching tackle on Sameen Ibraheem.
Qayyum was again active from the edge of the box, Lateef taking his shot in gloves. Mauripur Baloch mounted in the dying moments of the game but Farooq Rehman headed wide a Dostain cross four minutes before final whistle.
