WAPDA open campaign with 5-0 win

LAHORE - Three matches were decided Thursday during Fourth National Women Football Championship 2008 in progress under sponsorship of Narcotics at Islamabad's Jinnah Stadium. WAPDA thrashed NWFP 5-0, Balochistan drew 1-1 with Pakistan Police while 2-all was the scoreline between Sindh-Vehari United clash. Bronze-medallist in first two editions, Balochistan failed to keep first-half goal alive and drew 1-1 with Police in Group-C. Police, who finished ninth in their only previous appearance in 2006, landed equaliser in the 43rd minute through striker Farzana after all-time leading scorer of event Rifat Mehdi landed opener for Balochistan in the ninth minute. In Group-D, 2006 gold medallist WAPDA struck five goals in first half to demolish NWFP 5-0. NWFP returned to national soccer after finishing eight in inaugural edition three years ago, played stubbornly in second session after scrappy display in first session. Striker Shabana Kausar, leading hitwomen of first National Club Championship at Lahore last month, completed third hat-trick of the event. She completed hat-trick within 15 minutes, hitting the net of NWFP in the 20th, 28th and 35th minute. Midfielder Razia opened the scoring in the 10th minute while Karachi-based spearhead Naila Rana doubled the margin five minutes later. It was left to Shabana to complete the rout. Sindh hit back to draw Burewala's Vehari United 2-2. One of the top four women clubs of Pakistan, Vehari were 2-1 up at interval in Group-A clash. Vehari broke the deadlock in the 11th minute through winger Shazia while opportunist front-runner Rafia Perveen, who pocketed gold with Punjab in 2005 edition, consolidated the lead in the 29th minute. Midfielder Afshan pulled one back in the 31st minute. Sindh, down 1-2 at recess, snatched another goal in the 49th minute through winger Sadaf. Muhammad Irfan Khan Niazi and Qazi Muhammad Asif acted as Match Commissioner and Referee Assessor respectively . Friday (22 August) Fixtures : Diya v HEC ( Pitch No.2 : 6 PM), Punjab v AJK ( Pitch No.1 : 6 PM), Balochistan v Islamabad( Pitch No.3 : 6 PM).

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