LAHORE – As many as four matches were decided in 21st National Bank Football Cup at two venues of Faisalabad on Wednesday as the quarter-final frame of the event had been completed. The quarter-finalists are KRL, PAF, Army, KESC, KPT, PIA, Bahawalpur’s Ashraf Sugar Mills (ASM) and WAPDA while the teams eliminated were PTV, Pakistan Police, HBL, ZTBL Faisalabad’s PMC Athletico Club, Railways, NBP and Navy. The interesting Group-A, with all four teams on three points after two matches saw WAPDA and Ashraf Mills survive anxious moments.
NBP faced another good performance by Ashraf Mills who dug out 2-0 win at PMC Ground to eliminate the bankers. Striker Zainul Abedia opened the scoring in the third minute and it was left to Saeed Khan to do skipper’s job with 82nd minute goal. It was second unexpected result from the winners who earlier defeated WAPDA 1-0. Meanwhile, 2008 champions Navy went out of contention after drawing 1-1 with WAPDA at Bohranwali Ground.
Midfielder Yasir opened the scoring in the 4th minute and took their lead until 90th minute when Navy drew level through full-back Shahid Munir. Both the teams finished the group with identical four points and goal count 3-3. In order to settle the issue for Group-A second team behind leader Ashraf Mills, penalty kicks were ordered that favoured Multan-based WAPDA. It was fine day for WAPDA as their main team defeated Nepal Police 2-0 at Kathmandu’s AFC President’s Cup.
In Group-D, KESC were involved in 0-0 draw with Army at Bohranwali Ground. The outcome allowed KESC leadership in the Group while Railway faced PMC in a match for academic interest at PMC Ground. It produced 2-1 scoreline in favor of Railways who slotted two goals through Imran in the 44th and 90th minute. Alam was lone scorer for PMC in the 43rd minute.
