KARACHI, July 24: Strikes by Taha Alizai and Kashif Awan gave Karachi United a 2-0 victory over Usmanabad Union in the KASB Premier League at DHA Stadium on Wednesday.

Taha scored the opening goal in the 28th minute, while Kashif, the player of the match, doubled the lead in the 48th minute to help his side settle at third after the eighth round.

Table-toppers Hyderi Baloch and Baloch Mohammadan with 21 and 18 points are in contention for the title. Hyderi Baloch will walk away with the trophy even if they draw with hosts Karachi United, while Baloch Mohammadan must win against Bhutta Mohammadan.

In a match played on Thursday, Aqeel Ahmad slammed home a second half match-winner in Mekran Sports’ 3-2 triumph over Bhutta Mohammadan at CDGK Stadium.

Mohammad Rafiq of Mekran Sports stole the limelight in the first half with two goals, first in the 15th minute and then in the 28th minute.

Rafiq’s efforts were neutralized by Bhutta Mohammadan’s Mohammad Khalid, the player of the match, who fired home two back-to-back goals in the 29th and 30th minutes.

Aqeel broke the deadlock with a 60th-minute raid which deprived winless Bhutta Mohammadan from a possible victory.

In another game at the same venue, formidable LLWC shared points with Nawab XI after a 1-1 draw. Mohammad Riaz of Nawab Xi was declared the player of the match.

Ninth round fixtures:

July 25: Baloch Mohammadan v Bhutta Mohammadan at CDGK Stadium.

July 26: Usmanabad Union v Pakistan Petroleum at CDGK Stadium; LLWC v Mekran Sports at CDGK Stadium; Aga Khan Gymkhana v Nawab XI at AKG ground.

July 27: Hyderi Baloch v Karachi United at DHA Stadium.

Standings after eighth round (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points):

Hyderi Baloch 8 7 0 1 23 5 21

Baloch Mohammadan 8 5 3 0 18 7 18

Karachi United 8 4 3 1 11 8 15

LLWC 8 4 2 2 17 8 14

Nawab XI 8 3 3 2 9 3 12

Aga Khan Gymkhana 8 2 3 3 11 10 9

Mekran Sports 8 3 0 5 8 13 9

Pakistan Petroleum 8 2 2 4 15 13 8

Usmanabad Union 8 2 0 6 5 20 6

Bhutta Mohammadan 8 0 0 8 4 34 0