QUETTA: DFA Dukki lifted PPL Balochistan Football Cup 2018 after defeating DFA Quetta on penalty kicks in the final of the tournament here at the jam-packed Sadiq Shaheed Football ground on Friday.

Balochistan Home Minister, Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti was t he chief guest in the final and presented the Cup to the winners besides prizes to the players.

Speaking on the occasion, Bugti praised the winning team and appreciated the organisers for the mega tournament which he said has brought back hope and happinessto the province and engaged youth in a healthy activity.

Vice-president of Pakistan Football Federation Naveed Haider and PPL’s Rafiq Bohra were also present on the occasion.

DFA Quetta took lead in the first half, scoring a fine goal but in the second half Dukki forwards put pressure and succeeded to equalise the score by sending the ball into the Quetta’s net.

Both the teams, despite attacking moves, could not succeed in taking the lead during the allotted time and the match went to penalty shootouts where Dukki’s players outscored favourites DFA Quetta on their home ground by 6-5.

Dukki’s victory was in line with the tournament’s spirit of talent hunt because they being a young side emerged stunned rivals to become champions.

In the PPL Balochistan Football Cup 2018, 38 football teams from all over the province participated from six division of Balochistan, including Quetta, Kalat, Sibi, Nasirabad, Makran and Zhob.

Around 700 footballers took part in the 80 matches played over nearly forty days, starting on Feb 17.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2018