FAISALABAD, Aug 27: Habib Bank (HBL) and PIA set up a final date in the junior national championship after hard fought semi-final victories at Madina Town Hockey Stadium on Monday.

In the first semi-final, HBL got the better of Pakistan Army on sudden death penalty shootout when Azlan Khan scored the first penalty stroke for the bankers and Imran Shah saved the attempt from the soldiers.

Both sides were deadlocked at 2-2 after regulation time and extra time. The game entered into penalty stroke session and both teams were again locked at 5-5 before Imran gave the bankers a deserved win.

HBL last appeared at national championship in 1984 and have staged their comeback by entering the final after 23 years.

PIA defeated Steel Mills 2-1 thanks to a Mohammad Zubair extra time goal in the second semi-final.

The national carriers and Steel Mills finished the stipulated time with 1-1 scoreline.

The final and third place playoff between Army and Steel Mills will be played on Tuesday.—APP