LAHORE, June 21 (APP): Islamabad Fighters outplayed Quetta Warriors 7-5, Faisalabad Falcons outshone Peshawar Panthers 8-2 and Lahore Lions played 3-3 draw with Karachi Sharks on the 3rd day of the Ist OGDCL 5-A side floodlight hockey tournament here on Monday night at National Stadium.
Commodore Ahsan Shahzad, Station Commander Navy, Lahore was the
chief guest on the occasion.
Quetta took early lead against Islamabad after receiving one goal
each from Sheharyar and Fayyaz Yaqoob. Islamabad felt their presence
at the field when Awais scored as the first half ended in favour of
Quetta at 2-1.
In the second period also, Quetta continued to match their stronger opponents and interesting contest was witnessed. Islamabad equalized at 2-2 through Awais in the beginning of the second half.
Awais underlined his talent by completing a hat trick to put his
side ahead with a superb field goal with reserve flick.
Quetta restored parity through their captain Kashif Ali. But Wasim Akram availed 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.
The much experienced Islamabad side completely dominated the first
five minutes of the last period, putting in three goals. First Rashid’s long hit was put in by Mohammad Rizwan Sr standing close to the goal.
Rizwan was again the scorer after a delightful double 1-2 with Awais.
Then Rashid made it 7-4 after a good individual run. Quetta kept trying
to reduce margin. In the dying minutes, a not so forceful Kashif Javed
shot entered the Islamabad goal after brushing custodian Imran Butt’s
pads.
It turned out to be the most one sided tie as Faisalabad beat Peshawar in all departments of the game with a firm victory.
Faisalabad shot into 2-0 lead after getting superb goals from captain Dilber and Mohsin Sabir.
Pehsawar were lucky to get a goal when Samiullalh’s weak push couldn’t
be stopped by the goal keeper. It was 2-1 at break.
Second period was the most productive for Faisalabad with four goals coming. Atiq netted a lovely goal which followed two contrasting goals
by Man of Match Atif Mushtaq.
Mobashar Ali netted one off a rebound. Peshwar’s consolation goal
came again via Samiullah who easily availed a cross from right. So it
was 6-2 for Faisalabad after the 2nd period.
In the last period of the match Faisalabad added two more goals, one
by captain Dilbar and second and teams last by Atiq Arshad.
The first period saw an even contest between Lahore and Karachi with both the sides making raids but the deep defences stood firm Lahore had the be st opportunity when a 1 vs 1 challenge came their way but Rana Sohail’s flick came back of 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 rival goal keepers 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’s net minder. Hasan Anwar scored his second and Karachi’s third as again, he was at the right spot to avail a good move. Three goals down, Lahore was 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, then he made it all even with a good angular
hit to the delight of Lahore’s supporters.
