Karachi United reclaims State Bank Women's Football Championship

KARACHI: A first-half penalty scored by Khadija Kazmi secured the 4th State Bank Women's Football championship for Karachi United Women's Football Club on Sunday at the State Bank Sports Complex.

In a highly competitive final between the two favourites of the tournament, Karachi United narrowly edged a 1-0 victory over Highlanders FC, and successfully defended their title.

Roshnan Ali from Highlanders FC was crowned the best player of the tournament, while Karachi United's Zulfia Nazeer Ahmed ended up as the top scorer with 15 goals and her teammate Eiman Ahmed as the best goalkeeper.

Zulfia Nazeer Ahmed receiving the top scorer award

The two finalists, who were dreaded throughout the tournament, early on established themselves as fearsome opponents. The reigning champions Karachi United started off the tournament with an 11-0 thrashing to Karachi Women FC. Similarly, Highlanders FC dominated Aga Khan Women's FC with a whopping 10 - 1 win in their opening match. 

The winners cruised into the final after thrashing 33 goals and without conceding a single goal, whereas Highlanders FC stacked up 23 goals on their way to the final.

Highlanders FC with their runners-up trophy

Semi-finalists Diya WFC won the third place playoff leaving Young Model Muslim WFC placed fourth.

Karachi United have now won the tournament twice in a row from the four times it has been played, qualifying for the final each time. Balochistan United WFC and Diya WFC are the only other teams to have won the title after beating Karachi United.