KARACHI, Nov 1: An acrobatic second half overhead kick from Ashfaq Ahmad propelled ABL into the final after a 2-1 victory over KESC in the President PFF Cup football championship Friday.
The bankers, after the day’s triumph, set up final date with national champions Wapda who got through after a 5-3 penalty shootout win over HBL in the first semifinal the other day.
After a day’s rest tomorrow (Saturday), Wapda and ABL battle for top honours Sunday at 3.00pm at People’s Sports Complex.
Although ABL sorely missed the firepower of main striker, Gohar Zaman, they were on the offensive right from the start and it was only in the ninth minute of the game that KESC launched their first real foray into their rivals’ goal.
Asadullah, a Pakistan defender, kept on terrorising the KESC defenders with his teasing corners throughout the game and it was one of his corners that provided ABL the first chance in the 19th minute which was well-saved by KESC goalkeeper Zulfiqar.
Mohammad Ejaz of ABL became the first player to receive yellow card in the 30th minute and five minutes later wasted a goal-scoring opportunity.
KESC, having Karachi players and few from the home favourites Karachi Port Trust conceded the first goal late into the opening half despite being urged on by the fans whenever they moved into the ABL half.
It was Asad who started the move, his right-foot corner bending viciously to beat keeper Zulfiqar as the ball apparently bounced into the net off Ejaz in the 40th minute.
The local side put the game on an even keel getting the 58th- minute equaliser with Habib Ghulam heading in a right side cross from Sohail Ishaque.
KESC were pressed hard after the equaliser as they came under continuous attacks from the bankers which paid dividends late into the second session.
ABL hero Ashfaq, a international defender, who had earlier rescued his side with a golden goal against KPT in the knockout stage, once again came to help bankers regain the lead that proved decisive with Asad playing a key role.
The corner caused more mayhem in the KESC box in the 75 th minutes and Zulfiqar, who was successful against Asad in the first half, was beaten this time.
Zulfiqar punched away a curling Asad corner but Ashfaq’s spectacular scissors kick off the rebound from close-range knocked all the fight out of KESC.
The bankers were not content as they searched for third goal but poor finishing prevented them from the increasing the lead although Amjad Zikria came close to scoring in the 85th minute.
A late counter-attack from the KESC failed to snatch the illousive equaliser as ABL defenders stood firm.