PESHAWAR, Aug 3: Shining Stars and National Stars entered the semifinals of the District Swat Inter-club hockey championship at Swat Sports Complex on Wednesday. Shining Stars defeated Nawakhali 2-1 while National Stars beat Eleven Stars 7-5 on penalty strokes.
Shining Stars grabbed lead in the 13th minute through Lal Zamin Khan on a field attempt. Five minute later Nawakhali tied the score at 1-all when unmarked Barkat Khan netted a beautiful goal off a cross from right-winger Ajmal. Shining Stars again took lead through full-back Khalid who sounded the board with an angular hit from the top of the circle. Nawakhali did their best to pull level but failed. Shining Stars won 2-1.
National Stars shocked Eleven Stars 7-5 on penalty shootouts after remaining locked at 2-2 during the allotted 70-minute proceedings. Eleven Stars’ Ibrar and Faraz Khan struck one goal each in the 14th and 28th minutes. Javed and Alamzeb levelled the score for National Stars in the 56th and 69th minutes. National Stars availed all the five penalty strokes while Eleven Stars could convert only three.—APP