KARACHI: To the sheer surprise of the hockey fraternity, Army displayed a resolute performance against defending champions National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) to hold them to a 1-1 draw and go top in pool A in the 65th retired Air Marshal Nur Khan National Hockey Championship at the Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium on Tuesday.

The soldiers just needed a draw to emerge group champions on better goal difference and they did it in style. Both the outfits have won three matches apiece besides a draw and have secured 10 points apiece.

However, the soldiers have scored 51 goals and conceded just three while the bankers netted 36 goals as against eight scored against them. It is pertinent to mention that Army gave no mercy to Gilgit, scoring 30 goals while NBP had netted 27.

The draw has exposed the weaknesses of the star-studded bankers side whose lineup include at least nine Pakistan players. Alarm bells had started ringing when NBP were restricted to just 3-0 victory by fighting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the other day.

Never-say-die soldiers looked determined to top the group which can be gauged from the fact they kept the opponents at bay in the first three quarters.

After failing to capitalise on four penalty corners, Army were the first to draw blood through Safeer who converted fifth penalty corner in the 47th minute.

The bankers who too could not avail three penalty corners and few other scoring chances, managed to find an equaliser eight minutes later courtesy Abu Bakar to survive a scare.

Earlier, Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) created quite a stir slamming three goals in a span of five minutes in the third quarter to whip former champions PIA 3-2 to emerge pool C champions.

The SSGC accumulated 12 points from four wins while the airlines could only earn nine from three triumphs and a defeat to finish runners-up

Shafqat Rasool opened the account for PIA in 28th minute after the barren first quarter and just two minuyes from half time.

However, SSGC responded quickly slamming three goals that left PIA officials Qamar Ibrahim, who is FIH master coach and Kamran Ashraf, Pakistan junior team coach, guessing.

Mubashir Ali brought the teams on even terms by converting team’s fourth PC in the 34th minute. Rana Sohail consolidated team’s position through a field goal two minutes later. Hamza Waheed added the third in 39th minute.

PIA, who trailed 1-3 at third quarter, managed to further reduce the deficit 2-3 through Roman Khan in the 52nd minute.

Wapda’s second string Whites brushed aside Railways 5-1 to post second victory in three games besides strengthening their chances for last eight from pool D.

Railways, meanwhile, completed its engagements winning one, drawing two and losing one match.

Navy has topped the pool with eight points from four outings. They are followed by Railways eith five from four games. The second team from the pool will become clear after Wapda Whites - PQA match on Wednesday

In yet another match Wapda defeated Army Whites by tennis score of 6-0 to top pool B.

Haleem Usman and captain M. Imran netted two goals apiece while Aleem Bilal and Tasawar Abbas netted once to complete the rout.

Meanwhile, the pool mathes concludes on Wednesday while the quarter-finals will be played the following day.

Wednesday’s fixtures:

Wapda Whites vs PQA at 9am; MPCL vs Army Whites at 11am.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2019