Islamabad (Sports Report):
Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) and Wapda will clash in the National Challenge Cup final on Sunday after both registered 4-0 victories in their last-four clashes at the KPT Stadium on Friday.
KRL cruised into the final in style with their thrashing of Army highlighted by sensational strikes from Ali Zafar and Zaid Umer.
Ali Raza was involved in three goals as Wapda eased past SA Gardens in a repeat of the final of the last edition of the tournament.
KRL 4-0 Army
KRL dominated possession from the start and took the lead in the 26th thanks to a long-range stunner. Ali Zafar got the ball close to the right and then let fly with a rising shot that dipped just at the right time to leave Army goalkeeper Mohammad Faheem well beaten.
Another stunning goal, this time by Zaid Umer, doubled KRL’s lead in the 47th. KRL won a free-kick on the right and Zaid found the sweetest of connections with his left-foot; the ball curling over the wall and into the bottom corner.
Army were up against it and it soon got worse when Hazrat Abbas was sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity by pulling at the shirt of his opponent.
The contest was good as over and KRL sent out a statement by scoring twice late on.
Ali Agha tapped in a cross from the left to make it 3-0 in the 70th minute before Sameer Abbas pounced on a rebound off his own shot to complete the rout in the 83rd.
“It’s a great win for us,” said Zaid. “We were facing a difficult opponent but we showed our strength today. We hope to do the same in the final.”
Wapda 4-0 SA Gardens
Ali Raza starred as Wapda followed KRL into the final with a commanding display against SA Gardens.
The striker opened the scoring in the 30th minute when he ran on to a delightful reverse by Fareedullah and found the back of the net with the outside of his right foot.
Wapda got their second in the 36th with Ali again involved. Drifting in from the right, he fired a low shot that was deflected in by Mohibullah.
SA Gardens were up against it and the were 3-0 down in the 53rd when Ali scored from the penalty spot after a handball in the box.
Wapda completed the scoring in the 90th, when Hammad Hassan tucked in a rebound.
“Really delighted with the performance,” said Ali. “We imposed ourselves from the start and once we got the first goal, it got easier for us. We’re looking ahead to doing more of the same in the final.”
