LAHORE, March 31: Three goals by Ganzalo Fucchi enabled Bank Alfalah to enter the final of the Quaid-i-Azam Gold Cup National polo championship from Pool ‘B’ after winning 7-5 against Nokia Chimera on Thursday.

The first chukker ended 1-1.

Fucchi drew first blood by scoring a field goal. But soon Nacho Gonzalez restored the parity, also through a field goal with a lofted shot.

The bankers led 3-2 in the second chukker after both teams missed a number of chances.

Shah Shamyl Alam put Bankers ahead 2-1 scoring a field goal.

The winners could have increased the lead further, had Shah Qubilai Alam not missed back-to-back chances.

From the opposing team, Gonzalez also surprised fans when he failed to convert a 30-yard penalty hit because of a loose shot.

After missing a couple of more chances, bankers surged ahead 3-1 when Usman Haye finally scored a field goal.

But Nokia reduced the margin 3-2 when Gonzalez struck his second with a lofted shot.

Nokia were at the edge to equalise in the dying minutes but Iftikhar missed a chance when his hit near the goalpost went out.

In the third chukker Nokia dominated the bankers gaining a 4-3 lead. Gonzalez scored his third goal converting a 40-yard penalty hit followed by a field goal by Taimur Mawaz Khan.

The bankers squandered some scoring chances in the chukker, but eventually came forward 6-5 in the eventful fourth chukker. First Fucchi made it 4-4 by scoring a field goal.

But Nokia again forged ahead 5-4 when Taimur Mawaz Khan scored his second field goal.

The winners levelled 5-5 through Fucchi before Qubilai netted his first goal for the bankers in dying minutes to make it 6-5.

In the fifth chukker, both teams missed out on several chances including penalty-hits but finally Qubilai completed the tally by scoring a fine goal with one-tap from the centre which also earned him a return ticket to Dubai announced by the organisers for scoring a goal with one-tap.

The other match between the two top teams of the Pool ‘A’—BMA Capital Army and Bahria Town—will be played on Friday. The winners will also qualify for the final.

Teams:

BANK ALFALAH: Usman Haye (2),Ganzalo Fucchi (5), Shah Shamyl Alam (4), Shah Qubilai Alam (3).

NOKIA CHIMERA: Dr Iftikhar (2), Taimur Mawaz Khan (2), Nacho Gonzalez (6), Naveed M Sheikh (2).