Sindh, Balochistan in quarters of U23 football

ISLAMABAD: Balochistan Zorawar and Sindh Saints reached quarter-finals of the National Under-23 Football Championship following Wednesday’s matches at Kunch Football Ground in Abbottabad.

Zohaib Ayub performed a hat-trick as Balochistan defeated Hazara Stars 6-2. Balochistan were leading 5-0 at the breather. Zohaib scored three goals in the 2nd, 20th and 33rd minutes. Shaiq Dost netted a brace while Atif completed the tally for Balochistan. Sardar Abbas and Umar Gul were the scorers for Hazara Stars.

FIFA Referee Ahmed Rauf supervised the match. He was assisted by Maqsood Ahmed and Amjad.

Sindh Saints edged out Shan-e-Punjab 1-0 in another match of the day. The two teams fought well and were locked 0-0 at the end of first half. In the 74th minute, Muhammad Uzair scored lone goal for Sindh Saints. All the efforts by Shan-e-Punjab to score an equaliser went fruitless. Jehangir Khan supervised the second match.

Kashmir Kings, Khyber Eagles and Punjab Warriors have already qualified for quarter-finals.