KARACHI: Defending champions Wapda and Khan Research Laboratories marched into the semi-finals of the National Challenge Cup with authoritative wins in Tuesday’s quarter-finals here at the KPT Stadium.
KRL overcame a feisty, ill-tempered clash against Mamsons 2-0 thanks to two spectacular second-half strikes, while Wapda cruised past Air Force with three first-half goals in a 3-0 rout.
The match between KRL and Mamsons turned in the 28th minute when both teams were reduced to ten men following an altercation between Mamsons goalkeeper Usman Khan and KRL forward Mohammad Waheed, resulting in red cards for both.
KRL broke the deadlock just before halftime in stunning fashion. Najeebullah received the ball on the left, cut inside past two defenders, and unleashed a right-footed rocket that crashed in off the crossbar.
“After we went down to 10 men, the aim was to score as soon as possible,” said Najeebullah. “When I saw the space in front of me, I instinctively took a shot and thankfully it was a great goal.”
Mamsons pressed for an equaliser but were put to bed in the 79th minute when Moin Ahmed sealed the result with another long-range stunner, receiving a pass from the right before firing an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
KRL now awaits the winner of Wednesday’s quarter-final between Army and Nimso.
In the day’s other last-eight clash, Wapda dominated from the outset against PAF, with all three goals coming before the interval.
Mohammad Abdullah opened the scoring in the fifth minute, nodding home from close range after a shot and a header had struck the crossbar.
Adnan Saeed doubled the lead in the 23rd minute with a headed finish from a corner, and Ali Raza effectively ended the contest just before halftime with a crisp first-time volley from a right-wing cross.
PAF offered little response after the break as Wapda comfortably closed out the match.
“The plan was to press from the start,” said Wapda’s Samnan Qaisar. “We were putting in a lot of crosses in the box and they brought us goals.”
Wapda will face the winners of remaining quarter between SA Gardens and International Supply Company.
Published in Dawn, February 11th, 2026