KRL outplay PAF 3-0 : PIA prove too smart for KPT

Lahore, 19 April: Four matches were decided in 21st National Bank Football Cup at two venues of Faisalabad on Tuesday as KRL and PIA went on top of their groups.

KRL maintained 100 percent record in topping Group B with their third straight win. Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) gave no chance to Pakistan Air Force (PAF) at Bohranwali Ground with convincing 3-0 win. One of their scorer was young Saad Ullah who finished top scorer for PEL in PPFL 2010. He struck in the 67th minute after lanky winger Muhammad Qasim opened the scoring in the 25th minute. KRL led 1-0 at interval and striker Kalim Ullah rounded off the tally in the 89th minute.

KRL who lost three final of the event on trot at Chaman (1999), Bahawalpur (2001) and Karachi (2008), suddenly came into their own by winning the Cup at Hyderabad 2009 and Multan 2010 besides Pakistan Football Federation’s blue riband event - PPFL 2009.

In the same Group at PMC Ground, the all-bank affair produced sensational scoreline when experienced Habib Bank Limited (HBL) lost to first timers Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) against the run of play. The all important goal for ZTBL was scored by striker Iftikhar Ali in the 68th minute. The event turned out to be disaster for 1985 Champion HBL who lost all three Group-B outings.

In Group C, Karachi Port Trust (KPT), without their striker Muhammad bin Younus, transferred to KESC, failed to struck a single goal and went down at the hands of Pakistan International Airlines 0-2 at Bohranwali Ground. PIA slotted a goal in each session. Defender Abdul Qadir opened scoring four minutes from interval and spearhead Shakir Lashari doubled the lead five minutes from time as PIA, like KRL, earned their third consecutive win and kept leadership in Group-C. The match was marred by red cards for each team as KPT's Sajid and PIA's Abdul Jabbar were sent off.

The meaningless match in same group saw Pakistan Television (PTV) draw 3-3 with Pakistan Police at PMC Ground. PTV led 2-1 at interval but Police made recovery to make it 3-3. The goal scorers for PTV were Muhammad Ali 8, Salah Uddin 42 and Naimat Ullah 79 while Rasheed 38, Nasib Ullah 54, Sana Ullah 58 replied for Police.


Wednesday (20 April) Fixture :
WAPDA v Navy (Bohranwali Ground 2 PM), NBP v Ashraf Mills (PMC Ground 2 PM), KESC v Army (Bohranwali Ground 4 PM), Railway v PMC (PMC Ground 4 PM)

Army knock out brave hosts PMC Athletico with 1-0 win, KESC keep winning

Lahore, 18 April: Gilgit-born Muhammad Rasool hit sparkling hat-trick as KESC did well to beat Railways 4-3 in a thriller at Agriculture Ground. The exciting win gave KESC quarter-final place. Army also enter the last eight with 1-0 win over host PMC Athletico Club Faisalabad. Meanwhile, depleted WAPDA team regrouped their chances of entering elimination phase with sensation 2-1 win over NBP while Navy also collected their first point, beating little known Ashraf Sugar Mills of Bahawalpur 1-0.

The Group-D match between KESC and Railways produced seven goal thriller and turned out to be the most exciting match of the event and it also dig out the first hat-trick maker in the shape of Muhammad Rasool who thumped a well-taken hat-trick. Rasool, a hero in 2007 Beijing Olympics double win over Singapore, struck his goals in the 10th, 71st and 77th minute while young Muhammad Riaz stepped in with the fourth goal in the 55th minute. With Imran pulling one back for the Railways in the 67th minute, KESC were 4-1 ahead after 77 minutes but Railways put up brave effort in last 13 minutes to make it 4-3. Wasim Abbas and Muhammad Usman were their scorers in the 80th and 86th minute respectively.

KESC get clearance from Group-D after the win and other team to join them from the same Group was Army who kept their slender 1-0 lead till final whistle. Faisalabad-born striker Muhammad Ikram did the damage as PMC suffered 0-1 defeat with goal coming in the 45th minute at PMC stadia.

WAPDA second string, as the main outfit involved in 7th AFC President’s Cup, caused sensation when they recorded 2-1 win at Bohranwali Ground over NBP in Group-A. Having players mostly from Multan, WAPDA struck once in each session to keep their hopes alive for last eight slot. Striker Shahid Baloch had given WAPDA 4th minute lead and they doubled the margin in the 54th minute through Ayaz Baloch in the 54th minute. The bankers earned consolation goal through international right full Misbah Ul Hassan in the second minute of injury time.

In same group Navy marched on for their first victory when they pocketted full three points after beating Bahawalpur’s Ashraf Sugar Mills at PMC Ground. Nimble-footed winger Asif Bakhsh was their hero again with lone goal in the closing minutes of first half.


Tuesday (19 April) Fixture : KPT v PIA (Bohranwali Ground 4 PM), Pak Television v Police (PMC Ground 4 PM), Pak Air Force v KRL (Bohranwali Ground 2 PM), ZTBL v Habib Bank (PMC Ground 2 PM)

KRL, HBL, PIA, KPT through to semi-finals of NFCC 2011

Lahore, 17 April: KRL, HBL, PIA, KPT forced their way into quarter finals as four more matches were decided in 21st National Bank Football Cup at two venues of Faisalabad on Sunday. KRL got rid of HBL 2-0 and PAF managed to knockout ZTBL with same scoreline in Group-B while PIA and KPT struggled to beat Police and PTV respectively in Group-C.



Police went down 1-2 at the hands of 1984 Champion PIA at Bohranwali Ground. After dull, drab first session that provided defensive approach from both outfits, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) surged ahead through striker Saddam Husain in the 54th minute. But PIA joy failed to extend as Sher Hassan dragged the equalizer in the 71st minute from the penalty mark. The all important match winnng goal was scored by Nazeer Ahmed in the 75th minute as PIA earned ticket of elimination phase with 2-1.



Once again winger Zafar Majeed became hero of KPT’s 1-0 win over Pakistan Television (PTV) at PMC Ground. His goal in the final minute of game turned out to be the winner as Portmen entered the last eight. Zafar was also scorer when Karachi Port Trust (KPT) dislodged Police with same scoreline.


At Agriculture Ground, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) eliminated Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) from the event with easy 2-0 win. The airmen who never won the event in previous attempt turned the ball into back of the net once in each session. Winger Erfan Ali faked his way in for the first goal in the closing seconds of first half and it was all over for ZTBL as they conceded second in the 61st minute through midfielder Amir Khan.



Under new coach Tariq Lutfi, Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) continued their firework and handed 2-0 win over Habib Bank Limited (HBL) at Bohranwali Ground. Both their goals emerged in the second session with international Rizwan Asif opening the floodgate in the 50th minute and current Pakistani skipper Samar Ishaq hammered the second in the 73rd minute. It was hard battle and both the teams were indulged in foul play and Referee had given marching order to two Adils – Muhammad Adil ( KRL , 26th min) and Adil Sakhi ( HBL , 46th min).


Monday (18 April): KESC v Railways (Agriculture Ground 4 PM), Army v PMC (PMC Ground 2 PM), WAPDA v NBP (Bohranwali Ground 4 PM), Navy v Ashraf Mills (PMC Ground 4 PM)

PMC Atheltico go down fighting against KESC in NFCC 2011

LAHORE - NBP, ASM, Army and KESC returned from the arena as winners as four more matches were decided in the 21st National Bank Football Cup at two venues of the Faisalabad on Saturday.

WAPDA (mostly represented by Multan department, MEPCO) underwent 0-1 defeat at the hands of Bahawalpur’s Ashraf Sugar Mills (ASM) who managed their first ever win in the event after three straight defeat last year at Multan. They managed to strike the lone goal of the Group-A match in the time given for injury. The clock was showing 90+2 when winger Nisar Ahmed struck the back of the net at PMC Ground.

Meanwhile in same Group at Bohranwala Ground, National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) overwhelmed Pakistan Navy 2-1, scoring once in each session. In Group-D, host Faisalabad’s PMC Athletico Club failed to absorb the all out pressure of Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) and suffered 1-3 defeat at PMC stadium.

The star performer for the winners was striker Muhammad Rasool wih two goals. In same Group, Two times Champion of the event Pakistan Army had to work overtime to beat tenacious Pakistan Railways 1-0 at Bohranwala Ground. Midfielder Muhammad Safeer struck the solitary winning goal in the 33rd minute.

KRL crush ZTBL to begin defence of NFCC title

Alam Zeb Safi [The News]

KARACHI: Defending champions Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) took an impressive start when they crushed debutants Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) 4-0 in their Group B opener of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) Football Cup 2011 at the Bohranwali Football Ground in Faisalabad on Friday, 15 April 2011.

KRL, playing under Pakistan’s head coach Tariq Lutfi, kept their inexperienced rivals under terrific pressure. KRL, former winners of the Premier League, drew first blood through Asim Mansoor in the 21st minute.
In the second half, ZTBL, who entered the national circuit with their maiden appearance in the second-tier competition, the PFF league last year, completely capitulated.

KRL second goal came in the 56th minute through Chaman-born Mehmood Khan before Rizwan Asif scored a fine brace in space of just five minutes. The Narowal-born striker burst through the defence scoring a superb goal in the 83rd minute before poking another drive past the keeper in the 88th minute to seal a comfortable victory for KRL.

Meanwhile, in other Group C tie at the Punjab Medical College Ground saw Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) record a slender 1-0 triumph over the PFF League champions Pakistan Television. Discarded striker Shakir Lashari scored the goal for PIA in the 26th minute with a nice angular drive from left wing.

In other composed battle, Karachi Port Trust (KPT) earned full points with a 1-0 victory over Pakistan Police at the same venue. Zafar Majeed, who visited England with the Pakistan team in 2001, scored the lone goal of the hard-fought showdown which saw subdued and quite a rough game from both sides.

PAF win 3-0 over HBL in National Challenge Cup 2011 opening game

Lahore, 14 April: PAF opened their onslaught with 3-0 win over HBL in the Opener of  21st  National Bank Football Cup will commence on Thursday, 14 April at Bohranwali Ground, situated on Club Road, near Bagh-i-Jinnah Thursday.

It was the clash between two former National Champions of 80s, Pakistan Air Force and Habib Bank Limited that yielded all theee goals in the first session.

HBL failed to create any impression. It was Group B clash where other two teams are holders Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) and first timer Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL).

PAF completely dominated the first session and their repeated attacks allowed them the opener in the 24th minute when midfielder Muhammad Arif Nawaz steered the ball inti net from close range. Nawaz is the player from Toba Tek Singh while Kohat-born Amir Khan gave tense moments to bankers with the second in the 30th minute. It was all over when Shahkot-born Irfan Ali hit the back of the net in the 36th minute.

Earlier the event was inaugurated by Khawaja Shahid Razzak Sikha, President, Anjuman Tajiran, Faisalabad and CEO of Happilac Paints.

Friday (15 April) Fixture:
PIA v Pakistan Television (Bohranwali Ground 2 PM), ZTBL v KRL (PMC Ground 2 PM), KPT v Police (PMC Ground 4 PM)

DFA Faisalabad happy of hosting NFCC 2011

Lahore, 13 April: Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) will defend the title when 21st edition of National Challenge Football Cup (NFCC), sponsored by National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), will be held at Bohranwali Ground and PMC Ground of Faisalabad.

Former Faisalabad-based Pakistani National skipper Tanveer Ahmed and AFC AID 27 coach Muhammad Habib, gold medallist coach of National Games last year at Islamabad, thanked Pakistan Football Federation (PFF)’s President Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat for awarding hosting rights of annual event in which 16 teams will appear from 14-27 April 2011.

Faisalabad Commissioner Syed Tahir Hussain Shah will act as LOC Chairman while DCO Faisalabad Naseem Sadiq will act as LOC Vice Chairman. According to PMC’s Chief Organizing Secretary Rai Saif Ur Rehman Bhatti, former Youth International, PMC’s Secretary Chaudhry Khalil Ahmed will perform duty as Coordinator .

According to all officials of DFA Faisalabad, Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat’s superb football promotional work is in full swing who is taking fantastic strides in boosting football among Pakistani men and women.” We appreciated PFF Chief’s decision of circulating the event in order to get talents from far flung areas. We are well on the way to make it successful event under Faisalabad’s famous personalities as it is quite some time that PFF has awarded Faisalabad their event from Annual Calendar,” added Saif Ur Rehman Bhatti who represented Pakistan in 27th Asian Youth U19 Championship 1992 at Municipal Jawahar Stadium, Kannur (India).

“The soccer followers of city were anxiously waiting for a PFF show. It is first PFF event at Faisalabad after 1985, ending a 31-year hiatus. Bohranwali Ground, the venue of 1995 Asian Club Championship clash between Crescent Textile Mills and Sri Lanka’s Saunders FC, will become the main venue.“formerly known as Lyallpur and third largest city in Pakistan after Karachi and Lahore. NFCC allotted to Faisalabad for the second time after the third edition in 1985 that saw HBL lifting the title at Peoples Colony. The same city hosted the 28th National Championship in 1980, with Karachi Red beating Army 5-1 in the Iqbal cricket stadia’s final. Faisalabad also hosted the part of national events in 1993, 1994 (home matches of Crescent Textile Mills) and 2007 to 2010 (home matches of PMC Athletico). Faisalabad also hosted PFF League, a B-Division competition, in 2006 at Agriculture University Ground when PTV overcame PMC 4-0 in the final.” added another football star, Faisalabad-born Imtiaz Butt who won Gold for WAPDA in National Games 1992 and went to Kannur as skipper alongwith Bhatti.

National Bank Football Cup 2011 Press Conference

ATT : SPORTS EDITORS

21^st NATIONAL BANK FOOTBALL CUP 2011

Under the aegis of PMC Athletico Club, Faisalabad

The Organizing Committee of the

21^st NATIONAL BANK FOOTBALL CUP 2011

cordially invited you to attend the Press Conference.

Date : Wednesday, 13 April 2011

Time : 3 PM

Venue : Bohranwali Ground, Club Road, Near Jinnah Bagh and Hotel Serena, FAISALABAD

You are requested to please depute your sports reporter and a photographer to attend the final

Further Information :

Rai Saif ur Rehman Bhatti, Organizing Secretary, 0300-8666343

Bohranwali Ground to host National Challenge Cup 2011 Final

Lahore, 11 April : Bohranwali Ground, the venue of 1995 Asian Club Championship clash between Crescent Textile Mills and Sri Lanka’s Saunders FC, will become the 21st host to organize the final of National Bank Cup on 27 April 2011. PFF approved two venues for the coming event provided by host PMC Athletico Club Faisalabad. Bohranwali Ground, situated on Club Road, near Bagh-i-Jinnah, will act as main venue with 19 matches while PMC Ground will be utilized as Ground No.2 for rest of 32-match show.

The event has been revitalized after 2005 on instructions of Pakistan Football Federation (PFF)’s President and AFC ExCo member Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat. It is an event for organizational and services team of Pakistan who used to appear in top-two Divisions of PFF. PMC Athletico snatched entry on account of being host thus becoming first club in history to play in the event. Their success might pave the way for other clubs to play in forthcoming tournies.

The history of the event, incepted at Sukkur in 1979, orbitted around 32 years with most successful team Allied Bank Limited lifted the title four times. Pakistan Army, Faisalabad’s Crescent Textile Mills, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) grabbed the gold on two occasions while single-time winners were Karachi Port Trust, Quetta’s Marker Club, National Bank of Pakistan, Frontier Constabulary, Habib Bank Limited, Pakistan International Airlines, Sindh Government Press and Pakistan Navy.

Sukkur’s Municipal Stadium was the first-ever venue of National Football Challenge Cup while Quetta’s crowd-pull Sadiq Shaheed Park Stadium, famous as Mali Bagh, host the final four times. Karachi’s KMC Stadium, Peoples Sports Complex and Bahawalpur’s Dring Stadium played host to final twice. Faisalabad’s Peoples Colony Ground, Lahore’s Railway Stadium, Gujranala’s Jinnah Stadium, Quetta’s Ayub Stadium, Chaman’s Govt High Schoool Ground, Peshawar’s Tehmas Khan Stadium, Rawalpindi’s Army Sports Complex, Hyderabad’s HESCO Complex and Multan’s Qasim Bagh Stadium also saw the final of event once.

The 21st National Bank Football Cup will also commence at Bohranwali Stadium, formerly known Company Bagh Ground, to be played from 14-27 April 2011.One side who will be among minnows will be PMC Athletico, coached by one of the top coaches of Pakistan presently, Akhtar Mohiuddin. PMC will be backed by the local support and will definitely enjoy home crowd support at both stadia. Akhtar called ageing Haroon Yousuf as one of his key player who captained Pakistan from 1999-2003 and was four times gold medallist of the event with ABL in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2002. Mandi Bahauddin-born Haroon will go for his fifth gold under banner of a terrific football promoter and former youth International Rai Saif Ur Rehman Bhatti’s outfit.

21st National Bank Cup at Faisalabad’s Bohranwali Ground & PMC Ground (14-27 April 2011)

Group A: Pakistan WAPDA, National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), Pakistan Navy, Bahawalpur’s Ashraf Sugar Mills (ASM)

Group B: Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), Habib Bank Limited (HBL), Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL)

Group C: Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Pakistan Television (PTV), Pakistan Police

Group D: Faisalabad’s PMC Athletico Club, Pakistan Army, Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC), Pakistan Railways

Faisalabad retain 71st Punjab Games football title

Lahore, 9 April: Holders Faisalabad staged recovery to beat Lahore 2-1 in the final of 71st Punjab Games Football Tournament at Kotha Pind’s Raiders FC Ground, Faisal Town, Lahore on Saturday morning. It was second consecutive win for Faisalabad in the event. They also defeated the same rival in the final at Model Town Football Academy Ground, Lahore four years ago.

According to President of Lahore District Football Association Mian Rizwan Ali all the seven matches of three-day football event were allotted to Raiders FC Ground at Kotha Pind, Faisal Town, Lahore following a tremendous All Punjab Raiders Cup recently.

The three goals of the final were recoded in the first half while second session remained barren. Imtiaz coached-Faisalabad conceded 28th minute goal when Lahore’s striker Fahad Tariq punished keeper blunder but they drew level through penalty kick in the 35th minute converted by midfielder Basit Naeem. Five minutes from interval, winger Atif Hussain steered the winner from close range. Earlier, Sahiwal outkicked Multan 4-3 on penalties to win bronze medals.

The final was supervised, under Match Commissioner Chaudhry Abdul Rasheed, by Afzal Bari, supported by Irfan Aslam, Mehr Shabbir and 4th Official Muhammad Anwar.

Punjab Olympic Association (POA) organised Games participated by nine regions of Punjab including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Gujranwala, Dera Ghazi Khan and Sargodha.

"The friendly atmosphere prevailed throughout the duration of the Games, which is concluded with the hopes of bringing the all districts of Punjab together. The districts share a common history and culture, with many people on every side of the districts related to one another," said Rizwan Ali. Earlier in semi-finals, Lahore beat Multan 4-2 and Faisalabad overran Sahiwal 2-1

Full Results
7 April: Multan 1 Gujranwala 0, Sahiwal 1 Dera Ghazi Khan 0, Faisalabad 3 Sargodha 2
8 April: ( semi-finals) Lahore 4 Multan 2, Faisalabad 2 Sahiwal 1
9 April: Final : Faisalabad 2 Lahore 1 ¾ : Multan 1 Sahiwal 1 ( Sahiwal won 4-3 on PSO)

Draws of NBP National Challange Cup

Pakistan Football Federation announced Draws for NBP National Challenge Cup 2011 that will be held in Faisalabad from 14-27 April 2011.

16 teams divided in 4 Group. A B C D

Group A: WAPDA, Navy, NBP, Ashraf Sugar Mills

Group B: KRL, PAF, HBL, ZTBL

Group C: PIA, KPT, Police, PTV

Group D: KESC, Army, Railways, PMC Athletico (hosts)

Top 2 team of each group will play for Quarter final ( knock out phase)

FootballPakistan.Com Previews the National Challenge Cup 2011

Our friends at FootballPakistan.Com (FPDC) wrote a brilliant preview of the upcoming NBP National Football Challenge Cup 2011 that will be hosted by us here in Faisalabad between 14-27 April 2011.

The magic of cup football can see epic David beat Goliath battles. Minnows in 90 minutes can upset giants. A champion effort from one athlete can earn him glory over a more consistent adversary. This is the beauty associated with knock-out football that will be on show as the 21st NBP National Football Challenge Cup ’11 kicks off from the 14^th of April, at the Manchester of Pakistan i.e. Faisalabad.
The Pakistani version of the famous English FA Cup through the 14^th to the 27^th of April will see the 15 top department football sides and the host team PMC Athletico Club Faisalabad fighting it out for the 2^nd most coveted trophy in Pakistani football.

And the venue is perfect for this showpiece event. Known as the long-ball capital of Pakistan, Faisalabad has produced top footballers for the National team throughout history. The current captain of the National side, Samar Ishaq, hailing from the city is a testament. Faisalabad also houses the PMC Athletico club side that is one of if not the top football club in Pakistan. The club president, Rai Saif Ur Rehman Bhatti, is a diehard football promoter and fan. On getting hosting rights of the event he expressed his joy and exclaimed, ‘’the Challenge Cup is coming home.’’.

The rest of the article can be viewed here: FPDC Preview: National Football Challenge Cup ’11, Faisalabad

FIFA referees to supervise National Challenge Cup in Faisalabad

Lahore, 7 April : Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) 's President Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat has directed the current FIFA Referees of Pakistan to supervise the 21st National Bank Football Cup to be played from 14-27 April 2011 at PMC Ground, Faisalabad


All the Referees of various categories are being asked to report to match Commissioner/Referee Assessor for Physical Fitness Test on 13 April 2011 at 3 PM at Faisalabad’s PMC Ground.


The 19 referees posted for the coming National Bank Football Challenge Cup are :

FIFA (6): Khurram Shahzad (Kohat), Rana Naseer Ahmed (Faisalabad), Shahid Hussain (Okara), Rana Jehanzeb (Multan), Shafaat Habib (Rawalpindi), Waheed Murad (Lahore)

Ex-FIFA (2): Jehangir Khan (Quetta), Imtiaz Ali Shah (Peshawar)

National/local (11): Muhammad Adnan (Okara), Irfan Aslam (Faisalabad), Arsalan Sharif (Karachi), Zahid Iqbal (Faisalabad), Irfan Shoaib (Faisalabad), Usman Aamir (Faisalabad), Muzamal Hussain (Faisalabad), Waseem Aslam (Faisalabad), Umair Sarwer (Faisalabad), Adeel Anwar (Faisalabad), Arshad-ul-Haq (Sheikhupur)

Welcome!

This will be the new website dedicated solely to Pakistani football club PMC Club Athletico Faisalabad of the Pakistan Premier Football League!

This website's inauguration comes at a time when Faisalabad is about to host the 2011 NBP National Football Challenge Cup scheduled for 14-27 April 2011.

We will attempt to give as much cover to this tournament as well as other PMC related activities afterwards.