The 2016 National Football Challenge Cup or 2016 Pakistan Football Federation Cup was the 26th season of domestic association football cup tournament in Pakistani football. 24 teams took part in this competition held in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi from 28 January 2016 to 22 February 2016.
Reigning champions Khan Research Laboratories successfully defended their title after defeating National Bank 1–0 in the final.
Background After eight months of no football action, the tournament was announced for 28 January 2016 to 23 February 2016. The PFF Cup, instead of the usual National Challenge Cup, was organised by the Lahore High Court appointed PFF administrator Justice Asad Munir. The National Challenge Cup scheduled for April 2016 was later called off due to lack of sponsorship, leaving the PFF Cup as the only national knockout event that year.
Format
Qualifying round For qualification, 15 teams from PFF League (B Division) and 1 team from the Pakistan Premier League played in a group stage, with winners and runners-up from each group qualifying for the final round.
Final round Eight teams from the qualifying round and eight teams from the Pakistan Premier League played in a group stage, with the group winners and runners-up qualifying for the knock-out stages.
Teams
Final Roundthe 8 Teams from PPL. Qualifying Roundthe 15 teams from PFF League, 1 from PPLKhan Research Laboratories WAPDA Pakistan Army National Bank Pakistan Air Force Karachi Port Trust Pakistan Navy Pakistan Airlines (withdrew)Pakistan Railways Sui Southern Gas Company Ashraf Sugar Mills Social Welfare Pakistan Steel Gwadar Port Authority Sindh Government Press Pakistan Police Karachi United Saif Textiles Falcon Company Insaf Afghan Goods Trading Company Higher Education Commission Pakistan Television Bhatti United SNGPL
Qualifying round
Group I
All Matches played in Karachi
Group II
All Matches played in Karachi
Group III
All Matches played in Lahore
Group IV
All Matches played in Islamabad
Group stage
Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Third place match
Final
Knockout round
Bracket
Top scorer RankPlayerClubGoals1 FazalKarachi United62 Jadeed KhanWAPDA53 M. BilalAshraf Sugar Mills3 Saadullah KhanSui Southern Gas Asif KhanKarachi United Abdus SalamSui Southern Gas4 PehchanGwadar Port Authority2
Prize fund Prize money for 2016 PFF Cup.Teams Achieved round Premium per team Summed bonuses Third Place Rs.100,000 Finals Rs.200,000 Champion Rs.100,000 Rs.300,000
Fair Play, Best Players and Referees Type Money Fair-play Trophy Winner Rs.50,000 Top GoalscorerRs.25,000 Best Player Best Goalkeeper Best Referee Rs.15,000 Best Assistant Referee Rs.10,000
References