The News
KARACHI: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) finished 12th out of 16 teams when they stunned Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) 2-1 in their last match of the 8th Pakistan Premier Football League held at the Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad on Saturday.
PAF ended their campaign with 31 points from 30 games. After a barren first half, PAF, playing under coach Mohammad Arshad, drew the first blood through Salahuddin in the 57th minute. But soon afterwards, PIA bounced back with an equaliser when former Habib Bank player Ishtiaq Ahmad guided a juicy cross from the left wing into the net in the 59th minute.
Both sides played with great pace, but it were PAF who took the decisive lead when Pakistan’s future prospect Mansoor Khan landed a fine goal in the 77th minute. The loss left PIA at 49 points from 29 meetings. They are yet to face former champions Army in their last match on Tuesday at the same venue.
Army need only a draw against PIA to finish at the third place behind champions KRL and Chaman’s Afghan FC. On Sunday (today), Navy will meet four-time champions WAPDA.