LAHORE, Jan 23 A match-winning goal by Mohammed Zulfiqar helped Pakistan Television (PTV) defeat national champions Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) 2-1 in the 56th National Hockey Championship here at the National Hockey Stadium on Friday.
PTV led the first half 1-0 as Zahid scored a field goal in the 30th minute. The second session saw Ehsanullah netting the equaliser for PIA in the 39th minute. But Zulfiqar struck in the 57th minute to score the winner.
PIA missed all of their six penalty-corners.
Meanwhile, three goals by Farhan and two by Sohail Abbas helped Wapda thrash Sindh 8-0. The winners led 6-0 in halftime.
M. Shabbir (eighth min), Zakirullah (13th min), Khalid (21st min), Sohail Abbas (24th and 27th min) and Farhan (34th, 43rd and 48th min) were the scorers for Wapda.
In another match, two-goal Abbas Haider propelled Sui Gas to a 2-1 win against Balochistan.
Abbas fired in the 53rd and 63rd minutes. Mohammad Amin scored in the 17th minute for Balochistan.
In the fourth encounter, Port Qasim Authority defeated Punjab 4-2 after leading the first half by 2-1.
Shahzad Hanif (13th), Usman (27th and 63rd mins) and Mohsin (50th min) scored for the winners.
Rizwan Butt (14th min) and Mohammad Saqlain (56th min) reduced the margin for Punjab.
Police outplayed Capital Territory 4-2. Shahid Waseem (fifth min), Tasawar Raza (10th and 54th mins) and Atif Baig (33rd min) scored for the winning side. Zahid (29th min) and Sohail (40th min) were the scorers for the losing outfit.
A solitary goal by Mohammad Rizwan in the 34th minute helped Army edge past Pakistan Air Force 1-0. The winner was scored Rizwan in the 50th minute.
Finally, after a half-time score of one-all, Navy fought hard to beat Pakistan Steel Mills 4-3.
Umair (17th and 51st mins), Bilal (52nd min) and Mushtaq Ahmad (59th min) were the scorers for the seamen.
Steel Mills scored through M. Rauf (32nd min), Amir Zia (45th min) and Sultan Ashraf (66th min).
Saturday, the last day of the preliminary round, will see the playing of five matches.
