SGP upset NBP in departmental soccer

KARACHI: Jalil Ahmed’s strike in the second half enabled Sindh Government Press (SGP) to shock National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) 1-0 in their Group D opener of the First Naya Nazimabad Quaid-i-Azam Departmental Football tournament which kicked off here at the KMC Stadium on Sunday.
Midfielder Jalil hit the decisive goal in the 52nd minute through a pile-driver from distance which went into the net after clearing goalkeeper who leaped into the air but failed to connect the ball.
Earlier in the first half it was a dull game with neither side seeming too dangerous to create opportunities in front of a sizable crowd. SGP, having only a couple of their own players with the rest having been gathered from different clubs, created a solid chance in the middle of the first session but lack of proper communication among their players prevented them to turn it productive.At half time the match was evenly poised without any goal.
In the second half SGP tried to put pressure on the truncated NBP, whose host of fine players are nursing injuries they have received despite a long lay-off of competitive football due to conflict between two groups which has ultimately forced FIFA to suspend Pakistan.
And after Jalil’s produced the winner NBP, led by South Asian Games gold medallist Abdul Aziz, tried to bring the parity but it went in vain as in the dying moments Sher Ali’s desperate effort in the area failed to yield any result.
“It happens so when you have not played competitive football for over two years,” NBP coach Nasir Ismail told The News. “Eight of our players have passed through knee surgery while some of our seasoned campaigners were not in shape and had not been played. You see SGP had no regular keeper and I had told my boys to manage a few shots but you saw that not a single shoot was seen from our side in the entire game,” Nasir added. SGP coach Ghulam Haider was very happy with the outcome. “It was a fine effort from my boys as you know NBP are a better side,” Haider told this correspondent. Senior striker Lal Mohammad served under the cage of SGP in the absence of a regular keeper.
Meanwhile organising secretary Ahmed Jan said that Chaman-based PACA pulled out of the event. The match was supervised by Younis Lal. Three players of SGP including Mohammad Ayaz, Jan Mohammad and Junaid were shown yellow cards while NBP’s Adeel Ahmed received a yellow card. On Monday (today) PWD face KMC at 1:30pm while Karachi United take on Asia Ghee Mills.