January 29, 2006	Sunday	Zilhaj 28, 1426

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

KARACHI, Jan 28: Waseem Ahmad’s extra time goal helped Wapda set a final date with PIA after a 2-1 victory over Pakistan Steel in the All-Pakistan departmental hockey championship on Saturday.

Though Wapda were pressing for the opening the goal from the outset but failed with a Zakirullah attempt from close which was taken by Pakistan Steel goalkeeper Farhan Asif on the chest in the seventh minute.

But later Wapda were better in defence and clearance as Pakistan Steel changed their gear and opened the scoring in the 10th minute when Mohammad Zubair’s reverse flick from the edge of the circle whizzed past Wapda goalkeeper Amanullah.

Pakistan Steel making repeated inroads deep into Wapda territory pressed for the second goal but wasted a golden opportunity when Mohammad Yaseen failed to connect a right side cross in the 22nd minute at Hockey Club of Pakistan.

In a desperate attempt to equalise in the dying moments of the first half, Wapda came close to scoring three minutes before breather only to see Shahid Rabbani failing to control Rana Jawaid pass and was dispossessed.

It was in the second session that Wapda came out of their grove keeping Pakistan Steel under pressure with a series of attacks. Amanullah was alert to deny Pakistan Steel’s Sheikh Fayyaz with a fine save a minute into second half.

Wapda were deprived of a possible chance of equalising a minute later after being denied following a debatable decision.

Although it seemed Mohammad Irfan scored off Farhan’s stick umpire Rana Khalid disallowed the goal after consulting his colleague Kamran Hussain despite protest from Wapda.

Wapda could have equalised later as they kept rattling Pakistan Steel with back-to-back forays but were guilty of missing opportunities.

Shahid could have found the target off a right side cross in the 43rd minute, while Rana Asif’s attempt from the top of the semi-circle was in vain three minutes later.

Wapda’s search for an equaliser eventually paid dividend in the 48th minute when Bilal sounded the backboards in the 48th minute.

Zakir should have taken Wapda ahead but was guilty of fluffing a promising opening in the 59th minute, although Pakistan Steel defence was beaten.

After facing a string of onslaughts, Pakistan Steel made the only serious attempt in the 63rd minute as Zubair tried through a reverse flick over Amanullah but the ball trickled down the back-line off goalie.

With both sides deadlocked at 1-1 after stipulated time, the game extended into extra time but seven and half minutes of play did not change the score-line.

Wapda eventually emerged victors when Waseem scored the golden goal, converting a penalty stroke three minutes into extra time second half following a dangerous foul by a Pakistan Steel defender.

Earlier in the first semifinal, two-goal Mahmood Ali gave PIA a 2-1 triumph over Pakistan Army.

Mahmood was on target for the national airlines with a 16th-minute strike.

The soldiers fought back to put the game on an even keel through a Mohammad Saleem leveller in the 29th minute.

The national carrier walked away victors when Mahmood rescued them with the match-winner five minutes before fulltime.

Wapda play PIA in the final at 3.00pm on Sunday.