Islamabad Fighters edge Quetta Warriors

KARACHI: Islamabad Fighters beat Quetta Warriors 7-5 on the third day of OGDCL five-a-side tournament at National Hockey Stadium in Lahore on Monday night.

Karachi Sharks and Lahore Lions played a 3-3 draw and Faisalabad Falcons demolished Peshawar Panthers 8-2.

Islamabad were the favourites as they have a number of current Pakistan internationals, but Quetta’s morale was high after their 9-5 win over Peshawar. And Quetta went ahead with two quick goals from Sheharyar and Fayyaz Yaqoob.

Islamabad, who had played very well in their first two matches, recovered soon, however. Awais struck from a nice pass by Rashid. It was 1-2 when the first period ended.

In the second period also, Quetta continued to match their stronger opponents and interesting contest was witnessed. 

Awais was again at the right place when standing front of the goal, he flicked a Faisal Qadir cross into the net to make it 2-2 for the team from the capital. Islamabad had the better of exchanges over the next few minutes and had quite a few opportunities. Awais with a superb diving reverse slab put his side ahead for the first time and completed his hat-trick. 

Quetta restored parity through their captain Kashif Ali. But Wasim Akram struck on a cross to make it 4-3 for Islamabad. However, it was all even when the second period concluded as Kashif Javed’s long hit from the centre line went past Islamabad’s net minder.

Islamabad completely dominated the first five minutes of the last period, hitting three goals.

In the second match, between Karachi and Lahore, there was an even contest in the first period.  Both the sides made raids but the deep defences stood firm.

Rana Sohail of Lahore wasted a very good opportunity when his flick came back off the post. The first period remained scoreless.

The ice was broken immediately after the start of the second period when a sweeping Karachi move ended with Hasan Anwar having all the time and space to put it in.

The two teams were creating opportunities but attempts either found the goalkeepers or went out. A superb reverse shot from Lahore’s Amad Butt hit the post. Karachi managed to double the lead as Sikander scored on a rebound after Saran bin Qamar’s hit had been blocked by the Lahore goalkeeper. 

Hasan Anwar scored his second and Karachi’s third as he was at the right spot to avail himself of a good opportunity.

Three goals down, Lahore were up against it. A goal by Rana Sohail brought some hope and it was 3-1 when the second period ended.

Lahore were definitely the better side in the last period with Rana Sohail the most outstanding among them. He first made it 2-3 with an excellent diving effort sending the ball high into the net. Then he made it all even with a good angular hit to the delight of Lahore’s supporters. 

Sohail even went close to give his side a remarkable victory but his last-minute foray was well stopped by the advancing Karachi goalkeeper Ali Raza, who was later named Man of the Match. 

The third match turned out to be a one-sided tie. Falcons raided the opponents right from the word go and were 2-0 ahead with superb goals from captain Dilber and Mohsin Sabir.

Peshawar were lucky to get a goal when Samiullah’s weak push couldn’t be stopped by the goalkeeper. It was 2-1 after the first 12 minutes.

The second period was the most productive for Faisalabad with four goals coming. Atiq netted after a beautiful 1-2 with Dilber. It was followed by two contrasting goals by Man of the Match Atif Mushtaq.

Mobashar Ali netted one off a rebound. Samiullah scored on a cross from the right to make it 6-2.

The last period did see Peshawar trying to fight back but the Faisalabad defence held well and they also added two goals.

Captain Dilber with a strong back hander made it 7-2. The last goal was scored by Atiq Arshad.