Customs 6 PAF 4

(after penalty shootout)

LAHORE, Jan 22: Rehan Butt’s golden goal helped Wapda become the top team of the 50th national hockey championship departmental qualifying round as PIA went down fighting at National Hockey Stadium Wednesday.

Wapda got off to a flying start when they earned a penalty stroke in the second minute of game after a PIA defender committed a foul. Muddasir Ali Khan successfully converted the stroke past PIA goalkeeper Ahmad Alam.

While PIA had several stars in their line-up, Wapda were missing their main weapon, the penalty corner specialist, Sohail Abbas who was unfit but was declared the best scorer of the qualifying round.

PIA, however, failed to cash in on Sohail’s absence and missed a number of sitters and were also prevented to score because of some good work by Qasim.

Shahbaz and Atif’s retaliated in the 6th minute and then in 18th minute for PIA but were kept at bay by Qasim.

Rehan, also declared the player of the qualifying round, could have easily doubled the lead in the 20th minute, wasted the chance giving a back pass instead of trying himself.

Rehan again got another opportunity, and this time he was on target through a reverse hit that gave Wapda a 2-0 lead four minutes before the halftime.

Wapda extended the lead two minutes into the second half with Rehan completing scoring his second after slamming home an angular pass by Mudassar Ahmad from left side.

Three goals from Wapda, shook PIA who finally reduced the margin in the 39th minute through skipper Kamran who received the ball near 25-yard line and scored from the top of the circle.

Wapda seemed to be the winners when PIA pressed for their second which they got through Mohammad Usman who scored off a rebound from Qasim with three minutes left in the end.

Kamran rescued PIA from defeat by equalising when he dived to connect a left side cross just a minute before the final whistle.

Wapda emerged victorious after Rehan netted the golden goal from close range 10 minutes into the extra time.

Earlier, Customs booked a berth in the final round as ninth team after eliminating a spirited PAF on penalty strokes 6-4.

Both the sides were given strokes after they remained locked at 2-2 at the end of the regulation time.

For Customs, Atif, Mudassir, Mohammad Ali and Zafar converted the strokes. But for PAF only Kashif and Saeed converted, while Saleem and Zeeshan missed.

Customs took the lead through Shabbir in the 9th minute. PAF levelled   the score when Kashif Raza found the target in the 14th minute. Customs were again ahead when Shabbir scored his second in the 44th minute.  PAF struck the equaliser through Zeeshan in the 48th minute.

Apart from Wapda, PIA and Customs, Habib Bank, Allied Bank, National Bank, PTCL, Police, and Pakistan Army have also qualified for the final round.