Junior Hockey Championship: Hussain’s brace gives national title to NBP

Karachi-based team overcome defending champions WAPDA 2-1.

KARACHI:

NBP captured the 33rd National Junior Hockey Championship title on Saturday, defeating Wapda 2-1 at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium in Karachi.

Mubashir Hussain scored the opening goal in the first minute of the match as NBP led 1-0 at the interval. Wapda then contained their opponents for the better part of the second half, but Hussain struck another goal in the 60th minute on a penalty corner.

Wapda’s Mohammad Ahad scored a consolation goal just a few seconds after to reduce the margin, but the team failed to equalise and gave away the title to NBP.

Meanwhile, Punjab took the bronze medal in the championship as they defeated PIA 3-2 in the third place playoff. PIA took the lead with Abu Bakr’s goal in the 17th minute of the match, but Punjab hit back with Muhammad Asif’s goal in the 37th. Their opponents then replied with another goal through Amir Ali two minutes later to lead 2-0 at half-time.

However, Punjab prevailed in the second half as Qasim Ahmed equalised in the 56th minute and Mohsin Sabir sealed the win four minutes later with his field goal.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 25^th, 2014.

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