ISLAMABAD, Aug 25: Nimble-footed Rifat Mehdi pulled off a sparkling hat-trick to guide Balochistan into the quarter-finals of 4th National Women Football Championship at the Jinnah Stadium, Pakistan Sports Complex, on Monday.

Rifat, the leading markswoman of the event with 22 goals, struck thrice as Balochistan outclassed Police 4-1 in Group-C play-off to decide the second quarter-finalist from the three-team group.

Islamabad clinched the group with two straight wins while Balochistan and Police were tied below them with one point and minus one goal difference.

In order to resolve the issue, Match Commissioner Irfan Niazi ordered play-off and Balochistan, who never missed the semi-final of the event’s history, came out with flying colours.

Both the teams earned goals in the first half. Rifat opened the scoring in the 29th minute only to see winger Sadia Aslam replying well for Police at the stroke of interval.

Rifat took the play-off away the from reach of Police with two goals in the 40th and 57th minute respectively. Winger Shahida completed the rout in the injury time, giving Balochistan a convincing 4-1 lead.

Tuesday’s quarter-finals:

Lahore’s Sports Sciences v Balochistan, Islamabad v Burewala’s Vehari United, Karachi’s Diya FC v Rawalpindi’s Young Rising Star, Pakistan WAPDA v Higher Education Commission. —APP