Lahore, 11 October : The 86th encounter of Pakistan Premier Soccer League 2008 completed when four-times National Champions Pakistan Army

put up tremendous second-half display to beat PFF League Champion 2006 Pakistan Television (PTV) 3-0 at lush green soccer field of Army Sports Complex, Rawalpindi. It was first home match for Pakistan Army, national champions in 1993, 1995, 2005 and 2006, in current League. Army collected 19 points from ten outings and enhance themselves to fifth spot behind League-leader KPT, HBL, KESC and KRL. PTV yet to open their account, losing 11 straight games.

PTV put up tight defensive strategy to keep the soldiers running for nothing in the first session that produced no goal. It was big sight of relief for PTV’s manager Haji Muhammad Rafiq and coach Gul Faraz Ahmed as it was 0-0 at interval.

However, Army changed their game plan in the second session and struck the much-needed opener when in the 46th minute. Midfielder Majid Khan saw the opening and sent the ball through for striker Sharjeel Vicky to do the rest. It was Vicky’s first goal of the event, becoming Army eighth goal-getter in current league.

The goal infused new spirit among soldiers and it was 2-0 within four minutes. International striker and top scorer of 2005 event, Imran Hussain went on his own to beat the advancing keeper all ends up. It was Imran’s 5th goal of the event.

Sharjeel Vicky struck his second when he rounded off the tally in the 63rd minute. He controlled a long ball from keeper, side-footing two defenders and fired the ball into right corner.

Army’s 3-0 drubbing of PTV today was simply not enough to send team’s coach Saqib Abbas into a state of euphoria. On the contrary, he was a bit annoyed by his charges who fell into complacency with easy meat like point-less PTV who managed only 7 goals and conceded 34 goals.

“They made many mistakes and gave the TV players a lot of space to score a goal. I am disappointed with that kind of mistakes, it should not be repeated in the matches against tough opponents like WAPDA, KRL, KPT.” he told reporters after the match.

PTV, who received Rs 50,000 from Pakistan Football Federation (PFF)’s President Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat as a reward for their disciplined and fair play during conclusion ceremony of last edition, failed to anticipate Army’s all out surges from all angles and underwent yet another defeat.

Sunday (12 October) Fixture

PEL v WAPDA (Railway Stadium, Lahore : 4 PM)

PAKISTAN PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE 2008

STANDINGS

(AFTER COMPLETION OF 86 MATCHES ON 11 OCT 2008)

Teams P W D L GF GA Pts

KPT 14 7 4 3 21 16 25

HBL 14 7 3 4 19 11 24

KESC 13 6 3 4 23 19 21

KRL 10 5 4 1 18 7 19

Army 10 5 4 1 18 10 19

Afghan 11 5 3 3 17 13 18

WAPDA 11 4 5 2 15 12 17

NBP 14 4 5 5 22 27 17

Steel 13 4 4 5 15 18 16

PEL 13 4 4 5 10 16 16

PIA 15 3 5 7 22 20 14

PMC 13 4 2 7 14 20 14

Navy 10 3 4 3 9 7 13

PTV 11 0 0 11 7 34 0

(96 matches to go)

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