KARACHI:
Seven-time national champion Wapda thrashed Young Blood Football Club 6-1 in Lahore on the ninth day of the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPL).
Arif Mehmood scored the second hat-trick of the league and ended up with four goals in total as Wapda crushed the hapless Young Blood. Mehmood opened the account with a stunner in the sixth minute before the striker missed out four other times as Wapda led 1-0 at half time.
In the second half, Wapda took advantage of Young Blood’s weak defence and scored in the 49th minute when Akram Masih found a way though goal-keeper Naqqash Khalid.
From that point on it was Mehmood all the way as he scored in the 65th, 72nd and 86th minute before Muhammad Afzal ended the one-sided encounter with another goal in the 90th minute.
In between Wapda’s dominance, Young Blood were able to open their account in the 71st minute through Khawar Khalid.
Meanwhile in a surprise result, PMC Athletico registered their first win in the tournament as they defeated favourite Pakistan Elecktron Limited (Pel) 2-1. Naveed Mumtaz scored in the 20th minute as the Faisalabad outfit went into half time 1-0. Muhammad Qaiser then sealed the deal for Athletico in the 84th minute before Pel’s Muhammad Bilawal scored two minutes later.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 25th, 2010.