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Aleem scores brace as WAPDA overpower NAVY Back To Main

Nabeel Hashmi
KARACHI: Aleem Bilal scored a brace and Rehan Butt continued his good show on road to international comeback by getting into the score-sheet in WAPDA’s 3-1 win over NAVY in their 59th National Hockey Championship match here at the Hockey Club of Pakistan (HCP) on Monday.

The first-half failed to produce any goal despite entertaining play from both teams, with WAPDA dominating the possession. However, WAPDA’s continuous pressure brought respite as Butt, who got a brace in his last outing, scored in the 39th minute. WAPDA have been playing in the event with the strategy that they would make opportunities for Butt which is hurting their overall goal-tally as several chances have been wasted.

Aleem then scored in 42nd and 55th minutes on penalty corners. Navy registered a consolation goal three minutes later. The match of the day was probably between SSGC and PIA which ended in a 2-2 draw. Tempers flared, leading to abuses, injuries and silly decisions by referees. A player had to be carried out of the ground on shoulders as amazingly no stretcher was available in the so-called national championship.

On three occasions, referees failed to call timeout when they were trying to keep the players in check which almost resulted in loss of nearly three minutes. Players and team officials had to shout to tell them that clock was ticking.

PIA skipper Mohammad Zubair earned a super opening salvo after Shafqat Rasool prodded home from left flank before releasing a lovely through ball to Zubair which sent him clear and he beat the keeper with a super reverse flick in the 13th minute. Nine minutes later, PIA conceded a silly goal when fullback Ihsanullah tried an audacious chip in his own half to pass the ball to his partner in spite of the clear field and the ball fell to SSGC’s Abbas Haider who slotted home with ease.

Zubair, who received two green cards on 48th and 65th minute, restored PIA’s lead on 41st minute but forward Shabbir Ahmed, who scored a hat-trick on Sunday, grabbed an equaliser in the 57th minute. In an earlier game, Adeel Hussain grabbed a hat-trick to help HBL win 4-2 against PHF Academy.

Olympians appear at HCP

Olympians Samiullah, Islahuddin and Ayaz Mehmood were present against expectations to witness the matches with chief selector Hanif Khan.

When Islah was asked if a patch-up was on cards after a war between Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and former Olympians, he said there was never a war between the parties. “There is just difference of opinion and we have just come for promotion of hockey. The local players are participating in the event so our presence could motivate them.”

Asked about his opinion on PHF’s rule of fielding under-30 players, he said: “There should not be an age limit because one gets grip on the game at 24 or 25, so no department will provide permanent jobs to athletes when they know they can only represent them for five to six years.

“If a player is fit no matter what his age is he should get the chance to participate in the national championship.”

Meanwhile, ‘The News’ has learnt that rule of having under-30 players was finalised by PHF without taking selection committee on board. Several international players and Olympians have contacted PHF secretary Asif Bajwa to consider cancellation of ban during the course of this event but he has remained unmoved.