Afghan FC draw at PEL to stay second in PPFL

LAHORE: Struggling side PMC Athletico scored their second win of the Pakistan Premier Football League when they beat HBL at the PMC Football Ground in Faisalabad on Friday.

In the day’s other matches, KPT thrashed Navy 4-1 in Rawalpindi while Pakistan Elektron (PEL) were held at home by Afghan FC and the KRL-NBP tie in Lahore ended in a stalemate.

PMC Athletico notched up their second win in the competition when they beat HBL 1-0, thanks to winger Ahmed Raza’s 77th-minute goal. HBL created several chances to score but failed to get past PMC ‘keeper Wasim Akber.

The relegation-threatened teams have now played seven matches, with HBL on two points and PMC on six.

Meanwhile, the PEL-Afghan FC clash in Lahore saw the match come alive in the second half after a goalless first 45 minutes.

PEL substitute Riaz Ahmed scored the first goal of the match three minutes into the second half to chang the pace of the match. Afghan FC went all out after the goal and drew level through a 60th-minute set-piece when Jadeed Khan curled the ball into the right-wing corner that caused panic in PEL’s defence and winger Fazal Rehman tapped the ball into the path of midfielder Abdul Hadi who drove it past keeper Saqib Hanif.

Placed second in the league table before kick off, Afghan FC maintained their position at 17 points while PEL have 11.

The 1990 NFCC champions KPT put up an enthralling display to whip four goals past Navy’s defence in a 4-1 win. KPT were the first to settle down and struck the opening goal through striker Muhammad bin Younus in the 17th minute. Navy's Muhammad Basharat, however, drew his side level two minutes before half time.

After the break, it was KPT all the way as they struck thrice. KPT captain Akhter Mamil converted 57th-minute penalty kick to give KPT lead for the second time and it was left to young winger Jalal-ud-din and striker Zahid Ahmed to complete the rout in the 67th and 86th minute respectively.

KPT now have 16 points from seven games while Navy have six.

Meanwhile in Rawalpindi, KRL failed to find goal and drew 0-0 with NBP.

KRL have 10 points from seven matches and NBP have seven.

Saturday’s fixtures: Wapda v SSGC (Garhi Shahu's Railway Stadium, Lahore 3.30 PM), Young Blood v Baloch FC, Nushki (Rai Ali Nawaz Stadium, 3.30 PM), Army v PIA (Municipal Stadium, 3.30 PM), PAF v KESC (Qayyum Stadium, 3.30 PM).