PESHAWAR, Oct 10: Al Azmat Club downed Hilal Club 2-0 in the opening match of All-NWFP Challenge Cup football tournament which kicked-off at the Tehmas Khan Football Stadium here Wednesday.

From the outset Azmat dominated the proceedings and took a deserved lead in the fifth minute through an unmarked Jan Alam who blasted the ball into the net after receiving a perfect pass from Javed

Despite total domination Al Azmat Club failed to increase their due to poor finishing and the teams crossed over with 1-0 scoreline.

Al Azmat continue to have the better of exchanges in the second session but it was not until the dying seconds of the match they scored the second goal through Javed who volleyed home a cross from Zaman.

Forty top teams of the province are competing in the tournament which. This is the 13th edition of the tournament in which teams from Mardan, Kohat, Hangu and Nowshera districts, have been given direct qualification to the quarterfinals.

Besides this, the last time semifinalists and winners of their respective groups Gymkhana, Jamrud Union, Khyber Union, Afghan Club, National Afghan Youth, Shaheen Civil Quarters, Mujahid Club, and Aijaz Club have been placed directly in the league round.

The first round of the tournament will be played on knock- out basis.

Group-A: Al-Azmat Club, Hilal, Hajiabad, PMC, Hawks, New National and National Aryan.

Pool-B: Hidayat Club, Usmania, Youngmen Club , Pameer, National, Faqirabad, and Din Bahar.

Pool-C: Young Stars, Kickers, Hidokash, Hidayat Club, Brothers, Khalil Youth, and Terich Mir Club.

Pool-D: Khawar Club, Hazarkhawni, Khalil Cantt, Hurriat Club, Muslim Stars, Zaryab and United.

One team from each pool will qualify for the next round to complete 12 teams in the league round. The quarterfinals will be played on round-robin system.—APP