Wapda outclass PMC 4-1, PIA hold KPT

Published September 28, 2010

LAHORE Wapda skipper Arif Mehmood maintained his reputation of scoring in every match of the ongoing Pakistan Premier Football League but the real hero in Wapda's 4-1 win over PMC Athletico Club Faisalabad was Imran Niazi who fired two goals at Railway Stadium, Lahore.

 

Meanwhile in other matches, PIA and KPT played out a tense goalless draw at Korangi Baloch Stadium in Karachi.

 

Wapda had the upper hand throughout the match and struck twice in each session giving no room to weak opposition from Faisalabad in a match that saw two Pakistanis who were captains for the Pakistani teams in international circuit - Haroon Yousof (PMC) and Arif Mehmood (Wapda).

 

It was Arif Mehmood who surged Wapda ahead in the 12th minute. Midfielder Imran Niazi's drive from just outside the area popped out from the hands of keeper Yasir Rasheed and Arif was on hand to push the ball in with diving header. Arif might have added other in the 20th minute after he took a return pass from Qamar Zaman but his final touch was weak.

 

Midfielder Mehmood Ali doubled the margin in the 28th minute when he latched onto a stray ball and rifled a drive from 35 meters that kissed under side of the cross bar and landed behind Yasir.

 

PMC pulled one back through Naveed Mumtaz in the 35th minute when winger Muhammad Usman swept the ball across the area from the left wing and Naveed's header proved too much for keeper Abdul Aziz. Wapda led 2-1 at half time.

 

Wapda, who lead the table with 13 points, continued their onslaught in the second session too and it turned out to be Imran Niazi's half, the only scorer for Pakistan in the Beijing Olympic Games Qualifiers three years ago. He dashed through the middle in the 70th minute and steered the ball past Yasir's right hand.

 

Ten minutes later, he scored again in identical fashion as Wapda managed their fourth win in five matches.

 

They have scored19 goals so far and none of the other 15 participants have reached double-figures.

 

Tuesday's fixtures Army v Navy (Municipal Stadium, Saidpur Road, Satellite Town, Rawalpindi 4 PM), Nushki Baloch FC v NBP (Nushki Stadium, Nushki 4 PM) Afghan v KESC (Jamal Nasir Stadium, Chaman 4 PM). - PPI