KARACHI: Holders National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and last year’s runners-up Water And Power Development Authority (Wapda) set a repeat final after their teams won one-sided semi-finals in the 34th National Junior (under-20) Hockey Championship at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium on Thursday.

Both the encounters fell short of expectations and pathetic performance exposed the falling standard of game in the country.

The bankers, who had dethroned Wapda 2-1 to capture the crown at the same venue in May last year, halted the winning run of debutant Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) registering an emphatic 4-0 victory in the first semi-final.

The reigning champions, who took time to settle, opened their account in the second quarter when team captain Atiq Arshad’s shot left opponent custodian Muneeb guessing in the 21st minute. The bankers mounted their pressure and M. Naveed capitalised an opportunity four minutes later to consolidate team’s lead.

The post interval period also produced two goals – one each by Azfar Yaqoob in the 42nd minute and Mubashir Ali in the 51st, the second off penalty corner.

The SSGC, who sent PIA packing 3-1 to emerge pool “B” champions and survived a scare against low-profile Khyber Pakhtunkhwa before winning by a solitary goal in the quarter-final, was found wanting in all departments of the game.

Meanwhile, Shahbaz slammed hat-trick as former champions Wapda handed a 5-0 thrashing to Punjab “A” to set a date with NBP in the title clash. Shahbaz’s goals came in the second, eighth and 17th minutes. Bilal Mehmood and Sohail Anjum added one apiece to complete the rout.

Like the SSGC, Punjab “A” was also totally off colour and failed to produce their previous performance that they had displayed against former champions PIA in the quarter-final.

Off the field, the Wapda-Punjab “A” encounter witnessed two chief guests separately. First, chief selector and former Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui was introduced to the two teams before the start of the match and the exercise was repeated in the half time when both the sides were lined up again to shook hands with Additional Collector Customs Shafqat Niazi. This annoyed the veteran Olympian who left early before completion of the match.

It is pertinent to mention that in his capacity as chief selector, Islah has watched almost all the matches to scout talent.

The final between NBP and Wapda will be played on Friday at 4.30pm. It will be preceded by play-off for the third-fourth position between the SSGC and Punjab “A” at 2.30pm.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2015

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