LAHORE, Jan 25 Pakistan Army brightened their hopes of defending the title, after beating Wohaib Club, Lahore, 3-0 in the Pakistan Premier Soccer League football championship match played here at the Punjab University`s Old Campus ground on Friday.

The win brings Army on top in the points table with 57 points from their 25 matches, while Wapda has 55 points from as many encounters.

International spearhead Imran Hussain became the hero for the soldiers for striking twice -- in the second and 41st minutes -- in the match. The third goal was contributed by Michael Masih in the 21st minute.

In other matches, Wapda, handicapped in absence of their star midfielder Zulfiqar Ali Shah, saw their top position go into the doldrums after a goalless drawn game against Khan Research Laboratories (KRL).

Meanwhile Navy carved out a 1-0 win for themselves against Railways with a goal from Asif Mehmood in the 10th minute. Railways, after having played their quota of 26 matches, have 19 points. The win has Navy in the sixth spot, just above PIA. Although both have 38 points, the sailors are in better position on goal difference.

Punjab Medical College (PMC), Faisalabad, earned a 2-1 win against PTV. PMC scored first in the 16th minute through winger Muneer Ahmed and was leading by 1-0 at interval. PTV, through Muhammad Ishaq, came back to level the score in the 51st minute but Muhammad Afzal scored the match-winner in the 80th minute.

Results

Railway Stadium, Lahore

WAPDA 0

KRL 0

Railways 0

Navy 1 ( Asif Mehmood 10)

PMC Ground, Faisalabad

PMC 2 (Muneer Ahmed 16, Muhammad Afzal 80)

PTV 1 (Muhammad Ishaq51)

University Ground, Chauburji (Lahore)

WOHAIB FC 0

ARMY 3 (Imran Hussain 2-2,41, Michael Nasih 21)

Saturday`s fixture

Afghan FC vs PIA (Govt High School Ground, Chaman, 2.30pm)