August 27, 2008	Wednesday	Sha'aban 24, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Aug 26: Rawalpindi’s Young Rising Stars Club of Rawalpindi overpowered Karachi’s Diya Club

2-1 to book a berth in the Fourth National Women’s Football Championship 2008 semi-finals at Jinnah Stadium on Tuesday.

Diya, under Sarah Barkatullah, were the clear favourites to beat Young Rising Stars but they suffered a setback when a handball infringement got Rising Stars a penalty-kick in the 23rd minute which their penalty-taker Nadia Bhatti clipped past keeper Sadia Sheikh. The Rawalpindi outfit led 1-0 at interval despite pressure from Diya’s Marium Laghari, Faryal Shah, Hira Khan and Hina Javed.

Diya went all out for a leveller in the second half but keeper Saeeda Mahapara managed to block their attempts. Diya’s second setback came with another handball infringement resuting in Rising Stars’ second penalty kick that their spearhead Nadia converted.

Diya pulled one back in the 46th minute when Star’s defender Nabila failed to put her hand away from the ball and striker Marium Laghari sent the ball into the left corner. However, the last edition’s bronze medalist Diya failed to equalise to go out of contention.

Meanwhile, Wapda found no resistance from Higher Education Commission to lead by 2-0 at interval and scoring two more in the other half. Midfielder Azra Nasir provided Wapda the lead in the 26th minute and Humera made it 2-0 with a long-range drive in the 34th minute. Midfielder Shabana Kausar also drove the ball from 25 metres to make it 3-0 in the 40th minute and winger Aqeela Nasim completed the rout four minutes from time.

—PPI