LAHORE, July 2: Higher Education Commission (HEC) beat Mardan Club 3-l in the First National football challenge cup (Pool A) at Peshawar University Ground on Saturday.

In other match, NWFP’s League Champion United Club recorded solitary goal win over Miranshah’s PA XI Club.

All the four goals of HEC-Mardan tussle were scored in the last 25 minutes of play after a scoreless first half. Muhammad Rasool broke the ice in the 65th minute, while Muhammad Shabbir made it 2-0 five minutes later. Kashif pulled one-back for Mardan in the 86th minute but HEC’s regained two-goal advantage with last minute goal by Jibran.

Later on, Peshawar’s United Club put up stubborn defensive tactics to hold their second minute lead into 90th minute to beat Miran Shah’s Club. The scorer was striker Sajjad who connected the left wing corner with perfect header.

The Winner of Pool A will reach Stage-II (Group-2) where other teams will be Sindh Government Press, Pakistan Army, Karachi Port Trust (KPT), National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL).

Meanwhile at Ayub Stadium, Quetta, Chaman’s Afghan Club rally hard to hold Baloch Club 1-1. Quetta club was well on the way to victory through 17th minute goal by Haji but Afghan Club snatched a precious point, with Ahmed Shah hammering the leveller in the 75th minute.

After the completion of eight matches in 4-team Pool E, Police are leaders with eight points followed by Afghan (7pts). Baloch Club and Balochistan Club managed five and zero points respectively. The Pool E leader will appear in Stage-II (Group-1) with WAPDA, Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), Lahore’s Wohaib Club or Faisalabad’s Panther Club, Pakistan Navy, KESC.—APP