Football: Islamabad win national U14 title

KARACHI: Hosts Islamabad clinched the National Under-14 Football Championship as they defeated Sindh 3-1 on penalties in the final held at the Jinnah Stadium. After both teams failed to score in regular time, Islamabad drew first blood in the penalty shoot-out. The hosts failed to score in their first two attempts but converted three subsequent kicks, while Sindh could only score once in four attempts. Islamabad were awarded prize-money of Rs75,000, while runners-up Sindh received Rs50,000. Meanwhile, Punjab beat Karachi Zone B 1-0 to claim third position. Sindh’s Shahzaib was declared the best player of the championship.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 15^th, 2012.