Goals galore on second day of Hockey-5 Championship

KARACHI: Faisalabad Falcons hammered Karachi Sharks 5-3, Quetta Warriors demolished Peshawar Panthers 9-5, while Islamabad Fighters defeated Lahore Lions 7-6 on the second day of OGDCL Hockey-5 Championship in Lahore on Sunday.

In the first match, favourites Faisalabad had to toil hard as Karachi refused to give their rivals much space. The first period was an even contest but Faisalabad still managed to take lead through Tazeem-ul-Hasan.

Mohsin Sabir made it 2-0 for Faisalabad in the second period but Karachi fought back gallantly. Zeeshan missed a penalty stroke but soon made amends by scoring Karachi’s second goal after Sikandar availed a good pass from Qamar Bukhari to score Shark’s opening goal. Faisalabad’s captain Dilber restored their lead just before the end of the second period. On resumption, Hasan made it 3-3 as he positioned himself well and hit an angular shot to score.

Adnan put Faisalabad ahead again with a superb reverse hit which found the top corner. Later, Dilber confidently scored off a 1 vs 1 challenge to make it 5-3.

In the second match, Quetta were quickly off the blocks. Rizwan Jr robbed the defender, sprinted towards the goal and beat the goal-keeper with a well-placed hit. The lead was doubled when Kashif Javed’s long range shot wasn’t anticipated properly by goalkeeper Roman Khan.

Jolted by two early goals, Peshawar responded via Adeel Latif who found the target through a forceful hit.

Hasan Ali Faraz’s long range effort made it 3-1 for Quetta. Once again, it was Adeel Latif who reduced the margin. Capitalising on a defensive error, he ran towards the goal and slotted home after rounding Roman.

Quetta exerted more pressure and earned a 1 vs 1 challenge which was converted into goal by Rizwan. It stood 4-2 in favour of Quetta when the first period ended.

The flurry of goals continued in the second period. Quetta’s Rizwan completed his hat trick by tapping a cross from left. Khairullah made it 3-5 for Peshawar. A spell of three minutes which saw as many goals by Quetta through Asfandyar, captain Kashif Ali and Rizwan made it 8-3 for them.

Peshawar pulled one back through a 1 vs 1 challenge goal by Samiullah before the second period concluded.

In the last period, Ali Hasan Faraz’s goal from some distance made it 9-5. Quetta’s goal keeper Talal Khalid was declared man of match.

In the third match, Islamabad defeated Lahore Lions in a nail-biting encounter.

Islamabad were in control early on and notched a lead of 3-0 with goals coming from Ejaz, Rashid and Wasim Akram. Lahore were also missing the services of their captain Ammad Butt who was out with an injury.

When Wasim made it 4-0 on a rebound immediately after resumption, it seemed Lahore were out of the game. But the Lions responded well and a fierce contest ensued with frantic turn overs.

Lahore reduced the margin when Rana Sohail scored off a 1 vs 1 with a beautiful high flick. The two goalkeepers were repeatedly called into action and they refused to be beaten as the score remained 4-1 at the end of the second period.

The contest came to life through a Bilal Mahmood brace. First he scored off a 1 vs 1 challenge with a well-placed flat push and then made it 3-4 through a reverse hit.

Warriors recovered quickly and restored the two goal lead. Wasim’s shot was blocked by Lahore custodian Muneeb but Rizwan Sr capitalized on the rebound. Then onwards, a fierce contest developed with goals galore. Man of match Rana Sohail scored a hat trick for Lahore and his brilliant display was lauded by everyone present.