National Hockey Championship: PIA crowned champions for 29th time

Defeat WAPDA 7-6 on penalties after match ended 2-2 in normal time

KARACHI: A brilliant performance by Shafqat Rasool helped PIA successfully defend their crown as they defeated Wapda 7-6 on penalties, after the match had ended 2-2 in normal time, in the final of the 62nd National Hockey Championship at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium in Karachi on Sunday.

Both teams started the match on the offensive but were unable to break through each other’s defence in the opening 31 minutes of the game. Rasool finally broke the deadlock with his strike just after the half-hour mark. The goal jolted the opposition attackers who, courtesy of Muhammad Jaffar, levelled the game just two minutes later.

PIA, who desperately sought the winner, started pressing Wapda’s defence and managed to get a penalty corner in the 45th minute, which Ehsanullah converted with confidence, to take a 2-1 lead  at the end of the third quarter.

The defending champions had seemingly done enough to guarantee a win but were handed a shock when in the 57th minute Umar Bhutta struck with a spectacular goal to equalise for his side and force the game into a penalty shootout, which PIA managed to win 7-6.

PIA took the lead twice but were pegged back by a determined Wapda, who only lost 7-6 on penalties. PHOTO: AYSHA SALEEM/EXPRESS

“This was a memorable final as the pressure was intense on both teams but even then they were able to score two goals each,” PIA captain Muhammad Irfan told The Express Tribune. “I am happy that we were able to retain the title, especially considering the fact that we had inexperienced players in our squad.”

Meanwhile, Wapda skipper Sohail Abbas said that the best team had won the match and congratulated the victors. “We tried our best to win and took the game to a penalty shootout which proves that we gave a tough time to PIA. We could have won but missed some easy chances and penalty corners,” Abbas told The Express Tribune. “The best team won in the end.”

Earlier, NBP finished third as they defeated Army 5-3 in the penalty shootouts after the game had ended 1-1 in normal time.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2016.

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