Navy snatch semifinal spot to join WAPDA, NBP and SSGC in 66th National Hockey C'ship 2020

Pakistan Navy recorded another upset when they overpowered Mari Petroleum Company Limited 1-0 to reach the semifinals of the 66th National Hockey Championship at the MPCL hockey ground.

WAPDA, NBP and SSGC have already qualified for the semi-finals, which will be played on 19th November.

In semifinals, NBP set to face runners-up of last edition SSGC while WAPDA will take on Navy.

Navy’s lone goal was scored by forward Wasim Akram on the 27th minute when he netted the ball on penalty corner. Then, again both teams exhibited brilliant show, but MPCL forwards could not equalise. Navy got four penalty corners while MPCL earned three.

On the last day of the league matches, PAF defeated Police 4-1. From PAF, Rizwan Ali scored a brace while Umar Mustafa and Abdur Rehman scored one each. For Police, the lone goal was scored by Mohammad Ahad.

Punjab with goals from Hanan Shahid, Zain Ijaz and Aamar Ali blanked the Port Qasim Authority 3-0.

Meanwhile in the day’s main match between top teams, WAPDA and NBP, WAPDA after a tough fight defeated NBP 2-1. It was second shock for the reigning champions who had lost to Navy.

Both teams played aggressively and after a good fight, WAPDA defeated NBP. NBP took lead in the 17th minute when Abu Bakr converted a penalty corner but four minutes later WAPDA’s Tousiq Ali equalised on penalty corner. In the 54th minute, Sohail Anjum of WAPDA scored a beautiful field goal that handed WAPDA victory.