WAPDA, Customs, Pakistan Navy, and MPCL reach in semifinals
Sports Bulletin Report
RAWALPINDI: WAPDA, Pakistan Customs, Pakistan Navy, and Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL) qualified for the semifinal of the ongoing 67th AWT National Hockey Championship after thrashing their opponents defending champions Sindh A, Pakistan Army, Police, and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) respectively in the quarterfinals here at the Lt. General Ishfaq Nadeem Hockey Stadium, Ayub Park on Friday. The semifinals will be played on Sunday at the same venue.
In the first quarterfinal, Sindh A overpowered the defending champions, WAPDA 8-0. The Olympians, including Tosiq Hyder, Rana Waheed, and Hammad Anjum, showcased their prowess, each contributing two goals, while Moen Shekeel and Abdul Rahman scored one apiece. The special guest for this match, Major General Fida Hussain Malik, Executive Director of Army Welfare Trust, graced the occasion. Before the match, Maj. Gen. Fida interacted with both teams, fostering camaraderie and awarded the Cash Award to Hammad Anjum, the 'Man of the Match.' The match's umpires were Asad Abbas, Mohammad Bilal, and Wasim, with Geuari Ghaffar Bukhari, Shafiq, Imal Khan, Abdul Malik, Ehsan-ul-Haq, and Mubarak Ali as the field officials.
In the second quarter-final, Pakistan Customs defeated Pakistan Army 3-1 team, securing a place in the finals with a three-goal victory. Hamza Fiaz was the hero for Customs, scoring two crucial goals, while Ghazanfar Ali added a third. Rau Arsalan was the sole goal scorer for the Army. The match's guest of honor, Major General Imtiaz Khan, Executive Director of Medask, interacted with both teams before the game, offering encouraging words. After the match, he awarded Hamza Fiaz the 'Man of the Match' Cash Prize. The umpires for this match were International Yasser Khurshid, Waqas Butt, and Wajahat, while Sajid Khan, Imtiaz-ul-Hasan, Haroon Butt, Akbar Ali, and Hamza Tafail were the field officials.
In the third quarter-final, Pakistan Navy demonstrated their prowess by overcoming Punjab Police with a convincing 3-0 victory. Osman Ali was the star of the match, contributing two goals, while Rana Waheed netted the third for Navy. The chief guest for this match, Major General Dr. Samrez Salik, Executive Director of Army Welfare Trust, participated in the pre-match introduction sessions with both teams. Major General Salik recognized Osman Ali's exceptional performance by presenting him with the 'Man of the Match' Cash Prize. The match's field officials included Anwar Hussain, Hammad, Afser Ali, Iftikhar Ahmad, Naveed Yousuf, Yamin Bhatti, and Zahid-ul-Haq. MPCL defeated PAF 3-1 in the last quarterfinal to get a berth in the top-4 stage of the national hockey championship.
The action continues on Saturday as the championship is set to feature the semi-finals. The first semi-final will commence at 7 PM, while the second semi-final will be held at 9 PM, offering a double dose of hockey excitement to fans across the nation.
