KARACHI, Sept 9: The 24th encounter of the KASB Premier League Football (PLF) saw defending champions Shahzad Mohammadan beating Hazara Mohammadan 2-1 to reach the top of the points table with 11 points, leaving behind Karachi Kickers (nine points) and Sharafi Mohammadan (seven points).

Meanwhile, Hazara Mohammadan in the three matches that they have played so far have earned as many points.

The match played under floodlights at the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) Stadium on Monday night saw Shahzad M’Dan getting the lead just five minutes into the match. A rebound off Hazara’s goalkeeper Adnan from a powerful try from midfielder Waheed Gul was headed into the goal by Shahzad’s striker Saleem Baloch from inside the penalty area.

This was followed by probably the best goal of the tournament so far, scored by Shahzad’s midfielder Shahid Khan in the seventh minute from approximately 35 yards allowing goalkeeper Adnan no chance of blocking it.

But even though they were down by two goals, Hazara M’Dan kept their spirits high with strikers Alam Zeb, Naeem Khan, Faheem Shah and Arif on constant attack to reduce the deficit. But the score at halftime remained 2-0 as all their tries went to waste thanks to Shahzad’s Goalkeeper Naveed Baloch’s sharp eye and their defenders Sajjad Ahmed, Nur Bakhsh, Amjad Baloch and Faisal Baloch on high alert.

Hazara finally managed to score one goal when a pass from their striker Naeem Khan from inside the penalty area was converted through substitute striker Mohammad Saqib in the 69th minute.