LAHORE, June 1: Two-goal Farhan Abdul Qadir enabled Pakistan Navy to come from behind to edge past POF Wah 4-3 in the third quarterfinal of 2nd National U-21 football championship at Railway Stadium on Thursday.
POF must blame themselves for the defeat as they lost it despite taking 3-1 lead at one stage.
POF, who defeated Wohaib Club 5-0 on May 28 after 0-0 draw with NWFP in Group-C, opened the proceedings in stormy style and were 2-0 up after 16 minutes's play. Spearhead Abid Khan drew the first blood in the 6th minute and ten minutes later speedy right winger Jibran made it 2-0 with a low angular shot past keeper Syed Sultan.
Navy reduced the margin when referee Jahangir Khan awarded penalty-kick after POF's skipper Tariq Naeem committed a dangerous tackle on Navy's captain Asif Mehmood sly.
Farhan, who represented Pakistan in 6th SAFF Championship last year at Karachi, made no mistake from the spot to make it 2-1 in the 26th minute.
One minute later, POF again increased the lead (3-1),. Jibran converting a fine pass from Abid. Four minutes before the half time, Navy once again reduced the margin for 3-2 through right-winger Naeem Ullah, who scored a field goal.
It was a different story in the second half as Navy dominating the proceedings and levelled the scores through Umar Farooq in the 54th minute.
Navy continued their onslaught and Farhan's 89th minute goal proved decider.
In the semifinals, Navy will take on winners of Balochistan-Wohaib Club clash on June 4. The first semifinals will be played between holders Pakistan Army and Punjab on June 3. Friday's fixture: (4th quarterfinals):