SIALKOT: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) came back from two goals down before overcoming Wapda 4-2 in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout to in the final of the National Hockey Championship at the Nawaz Sharif Stadium here on Sunday.

After the final ended in an enthralling 2-2 draw at the end of regulation time, PIA held their nerve in the shootout to bag the title with Wapda visibly drained after letting their 2-0 lead slip.

Wapda started aggressively and were in complete control until half-time. It took them just five minutes to take the lead, Tassawar Abbas smartly entering the circle before squaring the ball to Umar Bhutta for a beautiful field goal.

PIA were stunned by Wapda’s swift start and were lucky not to concede more until the 14th minute when Mohammad Aleem converted a penalty corner, the second awarded to his team in quick succession.

PIA’s comeback started in the third quarter as Wapda sat back, trying to defend their lead as Mohammad Zubair and Kashif Ali thumped in two goals in the space of two minutes.

First, Shafqat Rasool dribbled into Wapda’s circle before finding Zubair to reduce the deficit before PIA’s pressure yielded a penalty corner which Kashif converted with aplomb.

In the end, Federal Minister for Defence and Power Khawaja Mohammed Asif distributed prizes amongst the teams and the players.

PIA pocketed Rs50,000 along with the winners’ trophy while Wapda took home Rs30,000. Third-placed National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) were given Rs20,000 while Ammad Butt was declared Best Player of the Championship.

Published in Dawn, January 12th, 2015

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