PPFL. -File photo by White Star

KARACHI: Mohammad bin Younus’ first-half strike was enough to decide the lone Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) match on Monday as KPT recorded their first victory of the season by beating PIA.

“It is great to get our first win of the season after two defeats,” KPT coach Mohammad Asif told Dawn after the match here at the KPT Stadium. “It was a good close game and it does a lot to lift the morale of the players.”

KPT, who suffered defeats to Pakistan Navy and National Bank of Pakistan in their opening two games, got off to a perfect start when Younus scored from close range in the seventh minute.

PIA, who were favourites here, responded with a few attacks of their own but the closest they came to scoring was when substitute Zeeshan Ali was sent clear in the KPT box but his shot brought out a stunning two-footed block from Sajid Hussain in the 44th minute.

In first-half injury-time, KPT got a glorious chance to double their advantage when Younus was fouled in the box.

Defender Akhtar Mamol stepped up to take the resulting penalty but PIA goalkeeper Bilal Rafiq dived low to his left to produce a stunning one-handed save.PIA came into the second-half with renewed confidence and it seemed that Bilal’s save had put a spring in their step.

Zeeshan came closest to equalising when his volleyed shot went narrowly wide before Mamol atoned for his penalty miss by making a crucial interception as two PIA players were racing clear.

Minutes later Zeeshan’s scuffed shot fell in the path of Riaz Ahmed inside the KPT box but he too failed to capitalise with only Sajid to beat.

Mamol then blocked another shot as KPT held on for their first three points of the season.

“Whenever you expect to win, you end up losing… that’s football,” PIA coach Shamim Khan said. “We tried some new players today but it just didn’t work out.”

Tuesday’s fixtures: Afghan FC v Muslim FC (Mali Bagh Ground, Quetta); Army v PAF (Jinnah Football Stadium, Islamabad); Navy v KESC (KPT Football Stadium, Karachi); HBL v NBP (People’s Football Stadium, Karachi).

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.