LAHORE, Feb 4: NWFP inflicted a 3-1 defeat over Punjab to move into the final of National U-13 Festival of Football at the Model Town Football Academy ground on Wednesday.

The NWFP will collide with Sahiwal in Friday’s final who eliminated hot favourites Karachi 2-0.

NWFP took control of the first semi-final right from the start.

Skipper Nadeem curled the ball across the area and midfielder Naheedullah drove the ball home leaving keeper Mohammad Hussain with no chance in the 30th minute.

Just after 40 seconds, Hamza consolidated the lead when his fierce shot hit the left upright and went behind Hussain.

The NWFP led 2-0 at the interval.

Hamza added another in the 49th minute when he cut in from the left flank and steered the ball into the left corner.

Punjab earned their lone goal in the first minute of stoppage time when Shahbaz Shahzad gave NWFP’s keeper Usman Khan no chance on the penalty-kick.

Sahiwal, under former international goalkeeper Nauman Ibrahim, had found little difficulty in beating Karachi in the second semi-final.

It was the game between two teams under control of coaches working for AFC AID-27 System.

Sahiwal dominated the first half but failed to score.

The deadlock was broken in the 50th minute when Sahiwal utilised their sixth corner.

Seven minutes later, left winger Rashid Noor put the issue beyond Nasir Ismail team’s grasp with glittering drive from the edge of the area leaving advancing keeper Nadir bemused.

Thursday’s fixtures:

Punjab v Karachi for bronze medal (11 am).—Agencies