January 18, 2003	Saturday	Ziqa'ad 14, 1423

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Police 0 Railways 0

PAF 9 PTV 0

LAHORE, Jan 17: Railways drew 0-0 with Police, while PAF thrashed PTV 9-0 in the 50th national hockey championship departmental qualifying round at National Hockey Stadium Friday.

The third match between Pakistan Army and National Bank which was to be played Friday had been postponed and rescheduled for Jan 21.

Led by former international Mohammad Shahbaz, Police launched dangerous inroads, especially from right side through Niaz Ahmad, Ijaz Imran and Mohammad Azam but missed several sitters. Railways also squandered three goal-scoring chances.

Police earned seven short corners and Railways eight but converted none.

Two goals each from Nazakat Ali, Kashif Raza and Kashif Yaqoob helped PAF score their first victory in the tournament as they led the first half 5-0.

Skipper Hayat Khan opened the account to give airmen 1-0 lead in the 10th minute, converting the fourth penalty corner. Saeed Shah slammed in the 19th minute also capitalising a short corner.

Nazakat scored his first goal in the 21st minute to make it 3-0, Kashif Yaqoob found the cage in the 29th minute. Two minutes before the halftime, Nazakat netted his second to increase the lead 5-0.

PAF surged 6-0 ahead when Zeeshan converted a penalty corner in the 39th minute. Kashif Raza struck his first goal off a short corner in the 43rd minute. Kashif Yaqoob added his second goal in the 45th minute before Kashif Raza contributed his second goal to seal the fate of the match.

PIA, with 12 points are leading pool “A” and have qualified for the main round. NBP and Army, with six points each from three matches and Police with five points, have chances to qualify.

In pool “B” in which all the teams have played four matches, Wapda are the leaders with 12 points and have cruised into the final round.

Habib Bank with 10 points, PTCL and Allied Bank with eight points each, are still in contention.

Saturday’s fixtures:

Wapda v Customs; PIA v PAF; HBL v UGC; ABL v Navy; Army v Police; POF v PTCL.