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LAHORE Speedy front-runner Naima Mukhtar struck a 93rd minute winner as 2007 gold medalists Lahore's Sports Sciences Department of Punjab University cruised into the semi-finals of Fifth National Womens Football Championship on Friday. The hard-fought 1-0 win over debutant Balochistan United in first quarter-final at Islamabad's Jinnah Stadium was a complete contrast to the 22-0 thrashing HEC received at the hands of Irans Malavan Bandar Anzali FC.
Riffat Mehdi-led United, scuppered quite a few early chances, with Riffat herself missing in the 17th and 33rd minute. Saman Islam and skipper Ishrat Fatima came close for Lahores Sport Sciences, but the score remained 0-0 going into the interval.
The second session saw both the keepers being tested. United's Sumera dived to her left twice to save attempts from Aisha and Naima while Lahores keeper Shumaila made instinctive saves when Shiasta Laghari and Shahida Raza were played through in the 49th and 67th minute. The deadlock remained unbroken at full time and even in the first half of the 30-minute extra-time. The 23rd minute of the extra-time, however, saw Lahore taking the lead when Ishrat set up Naima Mukhtar to unleash a powerful right-foot shot past Sumera.
Iranian team Malavan Bandar Anzali entered the semi-final of fifth National Women Football Championship when they routed Higher Education Commission (HEC) 22-0 in the second quarter-final of the day. Striker Fereshteh Karimi and winger Sara Ghomi Marzdahti completed double hat-tricks as HEC keeper Iqra was left to fetch the ball from the back of the net.
There will be no match on Saturday. The event will resume on Sunday, 9 August with both semi-finals (6 PM & 8.30 PM).
Leading goal-scorers
Fereshteh Karimi 14 (Malavan Bandar Anzali FC, Iran)
Sara Ghomi 11 (Malavan Bandar Anzali FC, Iran)
Hajra Khan 7 (Diya FC)
Naima Mukhtar 6 (Lahore Sports Sciences, Punjab University)
Marium Laghari 6 (Diya FC)
