25 January 2004	Sunday	02 Zilhaj 1424

KARACHI, Jan 24: Two-goal Mohammad Imran propelled Pakistan Army into the Under-20 national hockey championship final after a deserved 3-2 victory over NBP on Saturday.

Despite inducting four "outsiders", KESC were ousted after being blanked out 3-0 by defending champions PTCL at Hockey Club of Pakistan earlier in the first semifinal.

Army meet PTCL in the final on Sunday at 3.00pm.

What should have been a one-sided affair in favour of the bankers, the Army-NBP match became an exciting clash which started on a fast pace, soldiers having an upper hand from the beginning.

Mohammad Imran, a Pakistan juniors penalty corner striker, did not disappoint his teammates when he netted his first in the 8th minute to give Army 1-0 lead in the game that saw a yellow card each to both sides.

On paper, Imran seems to be successful as his side scored twice off just three penalty corners as compared to NBP who scored two goals from seven penalty corners.

The bankers got a fresh lease of life with Imran Warsi slamming home on the second penalty corner in the 16th minute.

Army were quick to respond, again through their lynchpin Imran who slotted home his second with precision in the 17th minute, making it 2-1.

Army could have scored a field goal but Munir Ahmad failed to control the ball, despite having ample time while NBP goalkeeper Fashiur Rahman and defence were beaten.

NBP, striving for equaliser, came near scoring, but Sumair Saleem missed the target in the 30th minute.

Tightly-marked Owais Khan, who was continuously dribbling down the right, somehow spun away from his marker to feed Haseem Khan who failed to find the cage for the bankers.

A yellow to Adnan Zakir for rough play in the 38th minute added to the miseries of the bankers as Army attacked with renewed vigour, Mohammad Afzal's opportunist strike making it 3-1 in the 51st minute.

Imran Warsi once again reduced the margin for his side, converting another short corner hardly a minute later.

NBP's A. Imran Khan missed a left side cross in the 56th minute, while Army goalkeeper Mohammad Rizwan produced a diving save off an Imran Warsi try in the 58th minute.

The bankers pressed for the equaliser after Army were reduced to ten players, Mubashir Ali receiving a yellow in the 60th minute, but Ammar Ishrat could not connect a right side cross in the 66th minute, while an Imran Warsi push sailed over the bar in the dying moments.

PTCL, missing their inspirational forward Tariq Aziz suspended for a match after a red card in quarterfinals, were forced to play with ten players, Rizwan getting a yellow in the 20th minute.

Unimpressive KESC were also reduced to ten players after Irfan Ahmad received temporary marching orders five minutes later.

Interestingly, Shakeel Abbasi, a Pakistan senior spearhead who was never considered for national junior team, poached the first for PTCL with a 29th-minute deflection off a penalty corner.

PTCL, strengthened by the presence of Yasir Islam of HBL playing without transfer, kept KESC at bay, goalkeeper Mohammad Iqbal clawing away a Mudassir Abbas reverse flick to safety in the 32nd minute.

After squandering a chance through Irfan a minute before halftime, KESC conceded second as Rana Raza rifled home a Shakeel pass in the 47th minute with KESC goalie Mohammad Bilal and defence beaten all ends up.

KESC could have reduced the margin but their skipper Imran Khan took too long to hit a Junaid Hussain back pass in the 64th minute.

KESC's hopes of recovery dashed with the third PTCL goal 60 seconds before the end as Rana Raza picked up a rebound off Bilal before netting his second.