January 27, 2007	Saturday	Muharram 07, 1428

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LAHORE, Jan 26: Five-goal Jose Rivas helped defending champions Bank Alfalah march into final of the Lindt Aibak polo cup after a nail-biting 6-5 win against Askari Bank here on Friday.

The fight for ascendancy extended to extra fifth chukker when both the teams tied at 5-5 at the end of regulation chukkers.

Rivas drew the first blood for Alfalah scoring a field goal on solo effort. But soon Hissam Ali Hyder converted a 30-yard penalty hit to level the score 1-1.

Bank Alfalah salvaged the lead soon scoring back-to-back goals. First Inchauspe crowned a field attempt and then Rivas banged home for his second.

Bank Alfalah forged ahead 4-2 in the second chukker as both the teams scored one each. First Hissam blasted home and then Rivas cashed a 60-yard penalty hit.

For Askari Bank, Qubilai struck back-to-back goals to make it 4-4 in the third chukker. But Rivas came to rescue the winners by scoring his fourth goal.

For Askari Bank, Saqib Khan Khakwani, scoring solitary goal of the fourth chukker, equalise the score 5-5.

Rivas converted a 60-yard penalty hit to score the match-winner.