PIA edge WAPDA to be crowned national champions

KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) defeated WAPDA 4-2 in a nerve-breaking penalty shootout to lift the coveted trophy of National Hockey championship in Sialkot on Sunday.
Both teams were at par in the regulation time and tried their luck in an unpredictable penalty shootout stage where lady luck favoured PIA.
The final was an exciting encounter between the two top teams comprising stars of Pakistan.
For PIA it was a wonderful comeback after being 0-2 at half time.
The third quarter belonged to the Airliners who snatched the initiative from WAPDA and completely dominated the proceedings.
The PIA forwards took full advantage of a sudden fall in WAPDA’s aggression and scored two goals in quick succession. In the 47th minute Shafqat Rasool took the ball inside WAPDA’s circle and gave a pass to experienced Mohammed Zubair who intelligently availed himself of the opportunity.
PIA forwards then exerted more pressure and got a penalty corner in the 47th minute which was converted by Kashif Ali.
Earlier, WAPDA entered the field in an aggressive mood which reflected from their speed, dribbling, dodging and excellent passes.
Their forwards dominated the proceedings of the final since the word go, kept control of the ball which enabled them to launch a series of attacks into their opponents’ area. PIA defenders looked baffled in the first two quarters.
In the 5th minute Tassawar Abbas made a smart move and entered the circle creating a chance for Umar Bhutta to score a beautiful field goal.
They exerted more pressure on their opponents and got two back-to-back penalty corners in the 14th minute. Mohammad Aleem doubled the lead by converting the second penalty corner.
Haider Rasool and Kamran Hussain supervised the match. Federal Minister for Defence and Power Khawaja Asif gave away the trophy to the captain of the winning side and distributed prizes among the players. Ammad Butt was declared the Best Player of the championship.