National Hockey Championship: Ihsanullah hat-trick takes PIA to semi-final

Team thrashes PTV 8-1, NBP edge SSGC 6-4 on penalties in other quarter-final

KARACHI: Ihsanullah struck thrice to guide PIA into the semi-final by thrashing PTV 8-1 in the first quarter-final of the 62nd National Hockey Championship at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday.

Rana Sohail opened the scoring in the sixth minute while Ihsanullah extended the lead by scoring in the 18th and 36th minutes to make it 3-0. Mohammad Irfan and Abu Bakar then successfully converted penalty corners in the 37th and 50th minute to pile further misery on their opposition while Awaisur Rahman, Atif Mushtaq and Ihsanullah scored in the 52nd, 55th and 58th minute to complete the rout.



In the second quarter-final, NBP edged SSGC 6-4 on penalties after the match ended 2-2 in normal time.



The match started on a frantic pace as the bankers drew first blood in the third minute when their captain Tousiq Arshad’s attempted shot was stopped by the goalkeeper but seasoned Akhtar Ali netted on a rebound.

SSGC bounced back with an equaliser when Ali Shan found the net in the 45th minute through a well-worked field goal but NBP managed to get in front once again when Atiq Arshad slotted a spectacular field goal in the 48th minute to make it 2-1.

The bankers’ jubilation lasted only three minutes before SSGC’s Rizwan Ali found the net in the 51st minute to make it 2-2 and with both teams unable to find the winner, the match went on penalties, which NBP won 6-4.



“It was a tough match and the opponents did not let us win easily,” Tousiq told The Express Tribune. “While we were heavily aided by the experience of the national team players in our team, the youngsters from both teams played pivotal roles in the match.”

He further added, “The nature of the tie led to some players engaging themselves in a couple of skirmishes but, as a whole, the match was played in the best spirit. I am sure that the fans enjoyed this contest.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2016.

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