LAHORE, Sept 18: International Mohammad Essa, Gohar Zaman and striker Abdul Manan struck one goal each to help Afghan Club take top position in the Pakistan Premier football League routing a strong Panthers Club, Faisalabad 3-0 at the latter’s ground.

All goals were scored in the last 28 minutes of play.

Afghan Club, a well-known club from Chaman, Balochistan dominated the first half but failed to score at all.

Mannan drew first blood in the 68th minute with a powerful shot from the top of the box. Gohar doubled lead in the 79th minute scoring a field goal.

Ten minutes later spearhead Essa, the vice-captain of Pakistan team and skipper of Afghan Club, made his way to complete the tally. It was Essa’s 10th goal of the league. He has also three hat tricks to his credit.

Points table after 69 matches (team, play , win, draw, loss, goal for, goal against, points):

Afghan Club 16 9 4 3 20 10 31

NBP 15 8 5 2 21 10 29

WAPDA 9 5 4 - 13 5 19

KPT 15 4 5 6 20 22 17

HBL 15 4 5 6 19 24 17

Army 9 4 2 3 10 5 14

KRL 8 4 2 2 10 9 14

Wohaib Club 11 3 3 5 9 11 12

PTCL 8 3 2 3 9 9 11

Navy 9 3 1 5 7 8 10

PWD 15 2 3 10 11 27 9

Panthers Club 8 2 - 8 9 18 6