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PIA thrash PHF Academy, WAPDA down HBL Back To Main

KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) continued their dominance in the ongoing 59th National Hockey Championship by demolishing PHF Academy 5-1 on Thursday here at the Hockey Club of Pakistan (HCP).

Table toppers PIA took their points tally to 16 from six games, having won five and drawn one. PIA, who have been by far the best team of the event until now, were ahead on 5th minute after Yasir Islam got on the score-sheet. Skipper Muhammad Zubair also continued his deadly finishing, notching up PIA’s second in the 19th minute. The first period ended 2-0 in PIA’s favour.

The second-half hardly brought any respite for PHF Academy, mostly composed of junior players. PIA’s fullback Kashif Ali was back to his duties of striking penalty corner a day after his teammate Ihsanullah was asked to do it. Kashif grabbed the opportunity with both hands, scoring from a penalty corner in the 50th minute.

PHF Academy got one goal back in the 61st minute after they were awarded a penalty stroke which was converted by Mohammad Asif Iqbal. Ihsanullah restored his side’s four-goal advantage three minutes later, netting from a penalty corner. In the last minute, Kashif put a cherry on the cake, thumping a goal from a penalty corner.

Meanwhile, two second-half goals propelled WAPDA to a 2-0 win against Habib Bank Limited (HBL). The first period ended in a stalemate, but WAPDA raised their game in the last 35 minutes as Rehan Butt gave his best performance of the five matches he has played. But he was denied scoring opportunities on several occasions as HBL produced a better showing, playing like a unit finally.

However, they were undone on 42 minutes when a brilliant attack from the right flank highlighted their defensive frailties and an assist from Waqas Sharif put Waseem Ahmed open on goal who finished it neatly.

Four minutes later, the game was caught by controversy as WAPDA struck a goal from a ball that had bounced back from side net, which led to protest but after consultation between referees it was cancelled.

WAPDA got their revenge in 50th minute when Aleem Bilal scored from a penalty corner. The win keeps WAPDA on PIA’s trails, with 13 points from five matches, one game less than PIA. Army are currently third with 12 points from five matches.

In another match, impressive Shabbir Ahmed Khan continued to nudge selectors as he once again bagged a double to help SSGC snatch a 3-2 win against Navy. Shabbir drew first blood for SSGC scoring in the 19th minute which was the only goal of the first half. Navy were level on terms in the first minute of the second half thanks to Umar.

They got the lead in 48th minute when Khalid successfully put the penalty corner past Salman Akbar. However, Shabbir equalised nine minutes later and his teammate Mudassar Abbas scored the winner in the 69th minute. SSGC are fifth with nine points from six matches behind defending champions National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) who also have nine points from four matches.