Wapda triumph in hockey championship

Defending champions Wapda seemed determined to keep the title as they defeated SSGC 4-2 in the 58th National Hockey Championship at the Faisalabad Hockey Stadium. Waqas Sharif scored the opener in the 43rd minute converting a penalty corner, after which a spectacular display by Mohammad Imran saw Wapda collect two goals in the 45th and 50th minutes. Rehan Butt scored the fourth goal in the 47th minute.

Abbas Haider and Shakeel Abbasi broke SSGC’s goal drought with goals in the 53rd and 58th minute respectively, but the margin proved too much.

SSGC suffered another blow as their goal-keeper Salman Akbar was banned for one match by the tournament director after a rift with the umpires.

The fourth day of the tournament also saw HBL come from behind to level with Pakistan Army 1-1. Army’s Kashif Ali took an early 19th-minute goal which Akbar Ali equalised in the second half.

Pakistan Navy defeated PTV 1-0 courtesy Waqasul Haq’s goal in the second half, while Port Qasim beat Steel Mill 2-1.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2^nd, 2011.