Placed in Group A, Army will play their first match at Ground No. 1 (kick-off at 1pm), before the Group B opener between Pakistan Wapda and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Ground No. 2.

Wapda, who were crowned the Pakistan Premier Football League champions on December 12, will be among the favourites to challenge Army’s title defence. Army, meanwhile, will be aiming to secure their fourth consecutive gold-medal finish.

The soldiers defeated Sindh in the 2007 edition of the Games at the Peoples Sports Complex in Karachi. They earlier won gold in 2001 and 2004 Games.

The 31st National Games open at Bara Road’s Qayyum Sports Complex with over 3000 athletes participating from across the country.

The football event will be spread over five days, and will be held at Islamabad’s Jinnah Sports Complex from December 25 to 29.

Group A: Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Railways Group B: Pakistan Wapda, Pakistan Air Force, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Schedule

League phaseDecember 25: Army v Railways (Ground No. 1, 1pm), Wapda v Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (Ground No.2, 2pm)December 26: Navy v Railways (Ground No.1, 1pm), PAF v KP (Ground No.2, 2pm) 27 December 27: Army v Navy (Ground No.1, 1pm), Wapda v PAF (Ground No. 2, 2pm)

Semi-finalsDecember 28: Group A winners vs. Group B runners up (Ground No. 1, 1pm), Group B winners vs. Group A runners up (Ground No.2, 2pm)

Third-fourth position matchDecember 29 (Ground No 2, 11am)

FinalDecember 29 (Ground No 1, 1pm)