ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Colours will face Punjab Blues in the final of the National Under-18 Hockey Champion­ship after both teams won thrilling last-four clashes at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium here on Tuesday.

KP Colours prevailed 3-1 on a penalty shootout against Punjab Whites after they were locked at 1-1 in regulation time while Punjab Blues scraped past Punjab Colours 3-2.

Punjab Whites took the lead against KP Colours in the second minute through forward Waqas Ali but Zakir Ali levelled matters in the 26th.

In the ensuing shootout, Roman Khan, Khairullah and Yasir all netted for KP Colours while only Waqas could find the back of the goal for his side.

In the first semi-final, Punjab Colours took the lead through Ali Aziz in the 22nd but their lead against Punjab Blues lasted just 10 minutes as Wasim Akram equalised.

Ali struck again a minute leader but Amad Nadeem and Ilyas got on the score­sheet to take Punjab Blues into Wednesday’s final.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2016