March 13, 2006	Monday	Safar 12, 1427

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LAHORE, March 12: A goal each by Arshad Sheikh and Yasir enabled MAO Old Boys Club to win the national Inter-club championship, beating Gojra Sports, Gojra, 2-0 in the final at the National Hockey Stadium on Sunday.

The winners could have won by a bigger margin had they not missed out no less than six sitters.

They also earned 15 penalty-corners but could cash only one.

MAO started the match at a fast pace earning back-to-back short-corners in the first two minutes but only to waste it due to poor hitting.

But they managed to convert their third short-corner in the 6th minute when Arshad Sheikh sounded the board with a direct try.

Masood-ur-Rehman almost doubled the lead but he squandered a chance after a short-melee in the 10th minute.

The half-time score was 1-0. After resumption, Gojra got a first short-corner in the 39th minute but failed to get an equaliser.

MAO College wasted another opportunity when Rizwan and Qasim Khan initiated a move from the right flank but Adnan failed to connect the ball while standing close to the goal mouth.

MAO after wasting five more short-corner eventually doubled the lead (2-0) in the 63rd minute when Yasir scored a spectacular field goal on solo effort.

MAO were honoured with a trophy and a cash prize of Rs100,000. The losers were richer by Rs50,000.

Mitchell Club, Okara claimed third position, beating Pak PWD, Karachi 6-4.

They received a purse of Rs25,000. For the winners, who led the first half 4-0, former Olympians Mohammad Sarwar scored two goals in the 9th and 39th minute. Sarfraz (25th minute), Muhammad Asif (30th minute), Zulifqar Ali (36th minute) and Abbas (47th minute) were the other scorers. For the losers, Iftikhar Ahmad (36th minute), Uzair Ahmed (37th minute), Alay Hussain (41st minute) and Atif Mir (65th minute) reduced the margin.

MAO’s Shafqat Rasool was declared Man-of-the- Tournament and pocketed Rs50,000. Muhammad Iqbal of Gojra Sports was declared the best goalkeeper and he earned Rs25,000.

Mudassar Abbas of PPWD, Karachi was the most promising player of the tournament and honoured with a cash prize of Rs25,000.

Rana Zaheer of MAO Club was declared the best coach of the competition and was given Rs20,000.