Wapda suffered frustration when they lost to Pakistan Navy 1-3 at Railway Stadium, Garhi Shahue, Lahore on Friday while, PMC players notched their fifth win by overwhelming PAF 2-0 in Pakistan Premier Football League 2009.
The current national title-holder played offensively from the start, fervently attacking while their Navy opponents looked dangerous mostly on quick breaks, but Wapda more than held their ground against the formidable front-runners Asif Mehmood, Sajjad Ahmed and Asif Bakhsh. The electricitymen generated more quality chances and held the seamen to only a few opportunities. Winger Qamar Zaman gave Wapda 24th minute lead when he caught Zulfiqar Shah's lob inside the area and rifled the ball past keeper Ishaq Ahmed on second attempt.
Spearhead Sajjad Ahmed went though the middle to make it 1-1 in the 30th minute and 55 seconds later two wingers; Asif cultivated a sparkling goal. Left winger Navy led 2-1 at interval. Both halves provided great entertainment for the once again well-sized crowd at stadium, the venue of first-ever SAFF Championship way back in 1993, as the ball moved up and down the field fast and there were many great moves on both sides. Both teams had opportunities, but kept ending up denied by the other side.
Wapda had a great chance to reduce the arrears in the 60th minute but Navy's substitute left full Atif ur Rehman cleared the ball off the line after Imran Niazi's cross-proved too tricky for Ishaq. Frontline player Muneer Ahmed was the star performer in PMC's 2-0 win over PAF. He struck once in each session to give PMC well-deserved victory and three full points. Muneer struck his first in the third minute after fine work by skipper Haroon Yousuf and slotted home the second in the 61st minute.