Hussain, Qadir on target as NBP lift title

Defeat SSGC 2-0 in final of inaugural CNS All Pakistan Hockey Tournament

KARACHI: NBP clinched the inaugural Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) All Pakistan Hockey Tournament as they defeated SSGC 2-0 to lift the cup at the Hockey Club of Pakistan in Karachi on Thursday.

NBP began the final on the front foot and kept testing SSGC’s defence in the opening minutes of the game. Their strategy paid off when Dilber Hussain scored the opening goal in the 13th minute to give his side a 1-0 lead.



The goal served as a wake-up call for SSGC who desperately sought an equaliser and their constant threat in NBP’s final third earned them three penalty corners, but they failed to convert.

NBP, meanwhile, sealed the win by scoring in the 51st minute through Bilal Qadir, despite SSGC goalkeeper Salman Akber giving his all to keep his side in the game — he blocked four goal-bound shots before letting one in.

NBP skipper Touseeq Arshad, who had to see his side lose in the semi-final of the National Hockey Championship earlier this month, hailed his side’s ability to keep their composure in a nervy final.



“Our defenders did a fabulous job to snuff out SSGC’s attack while at the same time our attackers were outstanding,” said Arshad. “Getting the ball past Akber twice is an impressive achievement as he is a great keeper.”

Meanwhile, PIA defeated Navy 6-3 on penalties to finish third in the tournament after the match had finished 2-2 in normal time.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 29^th, 2016.

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