Railways hold experienced Navy

KARACHI: Railways held Navy to a 2-2 draw in their match of National Hockey Championships at National Hockey Stadium, Lahore, on Monday.

In other matches, National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) thrashed Police 6-1 and Port Qasim Authority (PQA) edged PTV 3-2.

Railways were playing the first match of these nationals on the fourth day of the championships. The youngsters were up against experienced Navy, captained by Rashid, Pakistan’s current star.

Railways sprinted off the blocks and Imran had a wonderful opportunity in the very first minute but he misfired.

Navy did not waste their first chance which came in the shape of a penalty corner. Amjad, Pakistan under-18s’ first choice drag flicker during their campaign at the Boys’ Asia Cup two months back, beautifully converted the set piece.

Before the end of the first quarter, the sailors were two goals ahead. Akbar Ali waltzed past two defenders to score a wonderful goal.

Undeterred, the railway boys came out strongly in the second quarter and had several good opportunities in the first seven minutes, including three PCs which were not converted, however.

Two goals up at the start of the last quarter, Navy appeared to be sailing home comfortably. Within two minutes, a long hit into

Navy’s circle was expertly flicked in by Zaheer Hussain standing close to the goal.

Railways were back in the game and they earnestly looked for an equaliser. Up and down game ensued with the Railway youngsters looking more dangerous.

After squandering two more PCs, Mateen finally made it 2-2 at their sixth and last PC with a well-placed flat push.

With four minutes left, Navy went all out in attack but the score remained 2-2 till the end.

There was late drama in the second match as well. PQA were 3-0 ahead with only six minutes to go. Two goals came off successive penalty corners and it was 3-2 in the 58th minute. PQA, however, managed to see off the last two minutes.

Ali Aziz, one of the six under-18 internationals in the PQA squad, was their hero, scoring all the three goals.

It was an open game with both sides adopting offensive approach. PQA’s raids looked more threatening. They opened the scoring with the first PC in the 6th minute. The initial flick had been well stopped by the net minder Sajid but Ali pounced upon the rebound to make it 1-0.

After an entertaining long duel, Ali scored in the 23rd minute, this time a field goal. The ball was well fed to him from the left and he sounded the board from the top of the circle.

In the third quarter, there were a number of scoring opportunities for the two sides, including several penalty corners, but no goal was struck.

Five minutes into the last quarter, PQA made it 3-0 through their fourth PC. The ball was passed around the circle for some time before Ali dived to complete his hat-trick.

PTV displayed character and fought back manfully. First, Iftikhar netted with a well-placed push and in the 58th minute, Essa Khan’s high flick into the top of the net made it 2-3. 

The last game of the day turned out to be a mismatch. NBP, the most impressive side in the event, showed no mercy to Police.

Four of the bankers’ goals came off penalty corners. Abu Bakr, Pakistan under-21s drag flicker, had a hat trick.

The first quarter was all NBP, who exerted tremendous pressure. After Abu Bakr had opened the account, Arslan Qadir doubled the lead with an open play goal.

Police played better in the second quarter and had a PC as well as a couple of half chances but NBP continued to have the upper hand. Mubashar Ali converted their fourth PC with an unstoppable push to the top of net’s left corner.

It was 3-0 at the half time.

For Police, who had the services of old timer Shabbir, 2004 Olympian, the best moments came in the third quarter which also saw their only goal.

Powerfully built Waseem’s forceful push on the fourth PC went into the goal off net minder Mazhar Abbas’ pads.

Sharjeel, who was the cops’ best forward, made two excellent goal line stick saves off NBP‘s penalty corners.

In the last quarter, the NBP rediscovered their scoring touch and added three goals.

Abu Bakr converted two more PCs to complete his hat-trick.

The last was netted by Bilal Qadir.