LAHORE - Pakistan Steel Mills, Flying Horse Club and Port Qasim Wednesday won their matches in the league stage of the 10th Nishan-e-Haider Floodlight Hockey Tournament at the Dring Stadium.
According to Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) spokesman, Flying Horse Club outclassed Manga Mandi 7-2 in the first match, Steel Mills beat Multan 5-3 in the second while Port Qasim thrashed Khushab 4-1 in the last match.
Flying Horse, a local club, which had the services of national team captain M Imran, thrashed Manga Mandi Club 7-2. Though the visitors took lead in the second minute scoring a field goal through Imran and brought hosts under pressure yet they failed to maintain their momentum afterward. Four beautiful field goals by local boy Farman, in the 14th, 22nd, 36th and 47th minutes respectively completely dominated the proceedings of the match. In between, Noman also scored a goal in the 30th minute. Then Imran scored two goals on penalty corners in the 48th and 56th minutes respectively. Usman from Manga Mandi scored the second goal for his team in the 43rd minute.
Two goals each by Zubair and Attique helped Pakistan Steel Mills beat Multan 5-3 in the second match of the day. Both the teams played aggressive game and ferociously attacked each others’ halves. However, both failed to score in the first two quarters. Zubair took lead for Pakistan Steel in the 34th minute with a field goal which was doubled by Yasin Anwar in the 38th minute. Attique two goals in the 48th and 58th minutes respectively consolidated his team’s lead. Zubair struck another field goal in the 53rd minute. Shoaib played brilliantly for Multan scoring two goals on a penalty corner in the 42nd minute and a field goal in the 59th minute. Adil netted a field goal in the 60th minute of the match.
Port Qasim faced tough resistance from Khushab boys, who, after scoring a goal on penalty stroke in the sixth minute of the third match, successfully maintained their lead in the first two quarts and for a considerable time in the third quart. Their goalkeeper took three straight hits on his chest and pads to save certain goals. However, Khushab boys couldn’t sustain the pressure of a big match in the last two quarts and Port Qasim dominated the match afterward. Hanif converted a penalty corner in the 41st minute to level the score. Yasir’s 49th minute field goal helped his team to take lead which was doubled by Zahid in the 52nd minute on a penalty corner.
Taufeeq’s field goal in the 56th minute consolidated his teams’ position.
Today (Thursday)’s fixtures: PIA White vs KP Police, Asia Ghee Mills vs Khushab, Wapda vs Manga Mandi.