WAPDA registered a solitary goal win over NBP to claim the 31st U-21 National Junior Hockey Championship that concluded on Monday here at the National Hockey Stadium with SSGC getting the third position. On Monday, final and classification matches were played and WAPDA and NBP remained locked on an even game until the former got their winning goal in the 43rd minute of the match. SSGC got 3-2 win over Punjab Colours to earn the third position. The final started with the pace it should have been and despite several attempts none of the teams’ players could find an open house to get the goal. The first half passed by without a score and as the match entered the second half, WAPDA got a penalty corner in the 43rd minute and Asad ensured that his team gets a lead. That one goal lead remained in tact till the final whistle was blown.
However, the third position match between SSGC and Punjab went into extra time after the teams played a two-all draw in the given time and it was Hammad Butt who scored the golden goal in the 73rd minute of the match.
Punjab got ahead in the second minute of the match when Nohaiz Zahid who converted both the goals of his team, found an opening. But that was lead short-lived when Mohammad Zahid responded for SSGC in the same fashion in the 13th minute. Nohaiz took Punjab ahead once again in the 42nd minute but Waseem Abas responded for SSGC to push the match into extra time where Hammad produced the golden goal to get WAPDA the third place.
Secretary General Pakistan Hockey Federation Olympian Muhammad Asif Bajwa was the chief guest of the final. Tournament Director Saghir Ahmed, Arshad Ali Chawdhry member PHF National Selection Committee, Olympian Zaka-ud-Din, Manager national team Khawaja Junaid, Olympian Tauqeer Ahmed Dar, Miss. Parveen Sikandar Gill, Olympian Muhammad Sarwar and officials of DHA Lahore were also present on the occasion.
The winners WAPDA pocketed the purse of Rs 50,000 and the trophy while NBP received runner up trophy and cash prize Rs 30,000 and SSGC got the third position Trophy and Cash Prize Rs 20,000.
Results: (3rd & 4th Position)
SSGC beat Punjab (C) 3-2 (Extra Time), 2-2 (Full Time), 1-1 (Half Time)
SSGC: M. Zahid 13th minute (FG), Waseem Abbas 56th minute (PC) & Hammad Butt 79th minute (FG).
Punjab (C): Nohaiz Zahid 2 Goals 26th & 42nd minute (FG).
Final: WAPDA beat NBP 1-0 (Full Time), 0-0 (Half Time)
WAPDA: Asad 43rd minute (PC).