ATTOCK, April 22: Army defeated Mardan 6-1 in the opening match of the All Pakistan hockey tournament at the Liaquat Ali Khan hockey stadium here on Friday evening.

Shahid Rao scored three goals for the winners.

Qasim Ikram, Khalil and Mohammad Safeer struck one each.

Mardan’s only goal came through Adil Zaman.

Wapda will face Rawalpindi on Saturday at 4:30pm.

Earlier, colourful opening ceremony of the tournament was attended by large number of players and spectators.

Commandant Artillery Regimental centre, Brig Amir Mustafa Bajwa, was the chief guest on the occasion.

District hockey association president Rana Afsar Ali Khan and secretary general Rana Naseeb Ali Khan thanked Brig Bajwa for gracing the occasion.