KARACHI, Jan 30: Karachi Colours were stunned when underdogs Larkana scored an upset 3-2 victory to reach the national hockey championship regional qualifying round final, thanks to Mohammad Arsalan’s second half match-winner on Wednesday.

Although the local outfit took a perfect start by scoring twice in the first 25 minutes of the game, they looked like a disjointed lot against much inferior opposition which was not expected to have emerged victorious at the Hockey Club of Pakistan.

Arif Hanif, who scored a double hat-trick against Sibi, grabbed the opening goal for Karachi Colours in the 12th minute before Yasir Ghafoor doubled the ascendancy in the 25th minute.

Larkana fought back and took no more than a minute to equalise when they were awarded a penalty stroke following an infringement in the circle. Asif Michael, who had helped Larkana reach the last four stage with a last-gasp leveller in 1-1 draw with Quetta, scored from the spot with a perfect push.

Larkana shocked Karachi Colours just four minutes before the halftime whistle when they equalised through Taufeeq who found the cage off an indirect drill.

Karachi Colours were lucky as they had a narrow escape when Asif threatened with a good effort only to see it hitting the left upright just before break.

Larkana were reduced to 10 players after Ihsan received temporary suspension in the 39th minute, while Karachi Colours’ Sohail Zaidi also received a yellow card and misbehaved with umpire Mohammad Fareed in the 46th minute, expressing displeasure on the penalty.

Although Karachi Colours were now pressing hard for a goal by making forays into Larkana territory, they failed to move ahead, missing chances from close.

Larkana finally knocked the life out of Karachi Colours when seconds later Arsalan found the target through an indirect drill to score the winner.

While Colours faltered, Karachi Whites reached the final after a 2-0 victory over Hyderabad.

After remaining goalless for 27 minutes, the hosts opened the scoring through Mohammad Ebad who converted a penalty corner.

Karachi Whites slammed home their second three minutes before halftime when Rizwan Khan also scored off a short corner.

Larkana will face Karachi Whites in the final at 3.00pm, while Hyderabad meet Karachi Colours at 1.30pm in the third play playoff.

The four teams — Karachi Colours, Karachi Whites, Larkana and Hyderabad — being the top four of the tournament, have also qualified for the main round which starts in Peshawar from Feb 5.