LAHORE – Pakistan Army continued its winning spree in the national women hockey championship with a hard-earned 2-0 win over spirited Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HECP) here on Thursday at the National Hockey Stadium.
Quality hockey matches were witnessed as all the four teams scored deserving victories compared to previous days results
when dozens of goals were scored by departmental teams against their respective provincial teams. It was a lucky day for Sindh teams as the White routed Islamabad 4-0 and Colours hardly defeated Balochistan 1-0. The Punjab Colours beat sister team Whites 2-0 on a warm sunny day.
RESULTS:
-Sindh Colours beat Balochistan 1-0
-Army beat HEC 2-0
-Sindh Whites beat Islamabad 4-0
Army went closer to top their respective Pool by edging past the HECP in a match, which produced a fine brand of hockey. Army girls, coached by former Pakistan captain and Olympian Muhammad Usman, kept students under pressure with lively moves and smart distribution of passes. Mahjabeen and Fakhra scored one goal apiece from the winners’ side.
The Sindh White rode on a hat-trick from Alisha, scored a firm over Islamabad. Mishal was the other goal getter. Sindh appeared confident and in control throughout the play with collective efforts and mid-field play.
Islamabad deployed full force on guarding their territory and their defensive approach let them down in the match. The Sindh Colours were stretched to full length before striking a narrow margin win over Balochistan. Sindh wasted ideal scoring sitters in both halves of the play with erratic shooting and fumbling the chances in the heart of the circle. Asma scored the only goal of the match.
Punjab Colours survived some anxious moments before beating sister team Whites which seemed quite determined in the early session of the play. But with the clock ticking, their sparkle and spirit to put up fight vanished in the air and Colours exploiting their gray areas made inroads in their fragile defense and earned two goals to seal the fate of their opponents. Arzoo and Mahwish netted for the Colours.
