Roberts, who has signed an initial two-month contract with the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), was unveiled at PFF’s headquarters in Lahore on Thursday.

The 51-year-old former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur star believes that some of the local footballers are more talented than those playing in English football leagues but termed his latest appointment as a challenge.

“I had options in England with two lower-league clubs but this (Pakistan) was more than an ambition for me,” Roberts told reporters at the unveiling ceremony at Fifa House.

Winner of two FA Cups and a Uefa Cup with Spurs, Roberts has had two stints in football coaching with English League clubs Yeovil Town FC and Clyde FC.

“It is a different kind of challenge but I think I can help Pakistan football by bringing them up in the rankings.” Roberts said it was a ‘welcome surprise’ for him to see the talent of Pakistani footballers but said there is room for improvement, where his job comes into play

“We can guarantee that the team will play good football. The local coaches have done a fantastic job with the boys and I want to prepare the final bits now” Roberts said. With his initial stint set to be two months long, Roberts is eying the upcoming Asian Games as his first target with the national under-23 football team.

Though bordering on guarded optimism, Roberts also vowed to bring international football teams to the country. While Roberts arrived in Pakistan barely 48 hours before his unveiling, he had enough time to mingle with the Asian Games squad training in Lahore.

The Englishman singled out better training pitches as the most important change on the road to improvement for Pakistan football. In a country where there are more cricket fans than the entire population of England, Roberts faces a stiff challenge to work his miracle in the span of 60 days.

Despite having time, conditions and facilities against him, Roberts is confident that his vast experience will help the national team and is hopeful of extending his stay in Pakistan following the Asian Games. “I hope it to be longer because I do love the place,” Roberts told the media.

Arriving in the country at a time when no international teams are ready to play here, Roberts said he had ‘no security concerns whatsoever.’

In a promising first interaction with Pakistani media, Roberts said he will also try to introduce young Pakistani footballers to English football clubs through internships and other training options. Roberts’ arrival comes as a much needed for the PFF, as a UK based company is financing his services to Pakistan football.

This article was originally published by Dawn News

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PEL recorded authoritative 2-0 win over Baloch FC at  Model Town Football Academy Ground, Lahore in the Pakistan Premier Football League 2010 on Wednesday. The team under management of Tahir Maqsood was involved in dull first half that ended 0-0 but occupied midfielder superiority in the second session to bang two sparkling goals. PEL played the match without coach Asghar Anjum, away to Punjab Stadium for a Coaches Meet with former Spurs defender Graham Roberts.

PEL landed opener in the 64^th minute when Muhammad Shaire cut the ball in from right wing and skipper Asmat Ullah pushed the ball home with first time tickle leaving Nushki’s keeper and captain Sher Zaman in no man’s land. Winger Waqas Ahmed consolidated the lead in the 71^st minute when he controlled a long ball on his right foot and slammed the ball into left corner via Sher Zaman’s hands.

Meanwhile in other matches of the day, PIA, KESC and PMC were victorious. Former Pakistani skipper Haroon Yousuf won the day for PMC Athletico Club as he slammed both the goals in 2-1 win over SSGC at PMC Football Ground, Faisalabad. It was PMC’s third win in the show with Mandi Bahauddin –born Haroon getting the opener as early as fifth minutes and doubled the margin in the injury time of first half. PMC led 2-0 at interval and suffered anxious moments when lanky striker Asim Faiz pulled one back for home time two minutes after re start. But for the rest of the match PMC remained firm and cautious and never allowed another goal to Karachi team who returned back to top League for the first time since 2003. SSGC had mediocre event so far and they are still winless after nine matches.

Essa -led KESC managed their third win when they inflicted 2-1 win over Navy at Municipal Stadium, Saidpur Road, Satellite Town, Rawalpindi.  All the goals of the exciting matched emerged in the second session after listless first half that produced no goal. The visitors from Karachi stopped the goal draught when midfielder Ahmed moved in from left wing and sliced the ball past Ishaq Ahmed’s out stretched hands. But fast-moving Navy winger Asif Bakhsh restored parity in the 61^st minute, giving keeper Muhammad Omar no chance with fierce angular drive. But KESC regained advantage when striker Muhammad Rasool fired the winner three minutes from time.

KRL suffered their second defeat and allowed PIA to grip third spot with 18 points, behind WAPDA (25 pts) and Afghan FC (20 pts). Holder from Rawalpindi, lost 1-3 at Municipal Stadium, Saidpur Road, Satellite Town, Rawalpindi. Nine timer National Champions PIA dominated the proceeding right from the words go and came out victors with impressive win. Their skipper played efficient playmaker role besides scoring the opener in the 18^thminute with superb drive past keeper Asim Khurshid. PIA led 1-0 at breather had suffered frustration when KRL’s wing full back Muhammad Shahid went on an overlap and returned back with sweetly-timed goal in the 59^thminute. Winger Zeeshan Ali gave sigh of relief to Tariq Lutfi with a stunning goal in the 65^th minute and it was left to SAG Gold medallist Shakir Lashari to hammer his first goal of the event in the 77^th minute as PIA jumped to third slot with 3-1 win.

Thursday (14 October) Fixture:

WAPDA v HBL (Railway Stadium, Garhi Shahue, Lahore 3.30 PM)

Young Blood v Afghan FC (Rai Ali Nawaz Stadium, near Fareed Town Police Station, Sahiwal 3.30 PM)

Army v NBP (Municipal Stadium, Saidpur Road, Satellite Town, Rawalpindi 3.30 PM)

PAF v KPT (Qayyum Stadium, near Saddar, Bara Road, Peshawar Cantt 3.30 PM)

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Army pulled off their third win of the season when they defeated defending champions Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) by 2-0 while Afghan FC edged out Habib Bank 1-0 in separate matches of the 7th Pakistan Premier Football League held at different venues on Sunday.

At the Municipal Stadium in Rawalpindi, Army faced almost no problem against the depleted KRL who were missing their top six players due to their engagement in the national team camp in connection with the preparations for the Asian Games.

Army were off to a good start when Sharjeel Vicky provided them the lead in the seventh minute which lasted till breather. KRL also failed to bring discipline in their ranks and they conceded their second goal eight minutes before full time when Ansar Abbas struck for the soldiers.

The win helped Army join WAPDA on the top spot with ten points from five meetings while KRL have five points after four appearances.

Meanwhile, at the Government High School Ground in Chaman, Abdul Hadi struck the lone goal in the 52nd minute through a fine header on a corner kick to guide Afghan FC snatch a 1-0 victory over the struggling Habib Bank. It was a tough match in front of around 20,000 spectators with the Afghan FC having around 60 per cent of ball possession.

Habib Bank left-back Abdul Salam will have to miss his team’s match against KPT after he was shown second yellow card by referee Muhammad Saeed Bazai. He was shown first yellow card during Habib Bank’s match against Baloch FC at Nushki last week.

The triumph also propelled Afghan FC to share top spot with WAPDA and Army with ten points from four matches. Habib Bank, with the defeat, are struggling with one point from three meetings.

Similarly, in other tie in Rawalpindi, Navy held PAF to a goalless draw to move their points to three from four outings while PAF stretched their tally to five from five meetings.

At the Nushki Stadium in Nushki, Balochistan, Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) conceded walkover to Baloch FC after they failed to visit Balochistan for the match citing security fears.

“Baloch FC was given walkover after SSGC did not turn up for the match,” match commissioner Salahuddin telling the newspapers.

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Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) produced their first win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) while a Zafar Majeed hat-trick helped Karachi Port Trust (KPT) thump National Bank 4-2 in matches of the Pakistan Premier Football League here on Saturday.
Here at the Peoples Sports Complex, KESC and PIA produced a thrilling game with both sides looking for a win. But it ws PIA who took the lead when a cross from Abdul Ghaffar reached Hasnain Abbas who struck a fine goal on the stroke half-time.
The second-half saw both sides going for the win but PIA’s veteran goalkeeper Abu Bakar averted a couple of forceful rallies from KESC.
PIA manager Tariq Lutfi lauded the effort of his side. “Our team produced a good win in spite of the fact that it was completely short of training. But still we missed few good chances,” he said.
Meanwhile, here at the Korangi Baloch Football Ground, KPT edged out National Bank 4-2 to move to second place with nine points behind leaders WAPDA who have ten.
National Bank took the lead when Imran landed a fine goal in the 28th. But KPT starlet Zafar Majeed had other ideas as he scored two goals in a space of just six minutes (39th and 45th) to give KPT a 2-1 edge going into half-time. Zahid Ahmad increased the lead in the 49th before Zafar completed his hat-trick in the 55th minute.
Farooq Shah reduced the arrears to 2-4 in the 66th minute.

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