JALANDHAR, OCT 22 : Star-studded Crescent Hockey Club, Sialkot (Pakistan) edged out young and spirited Namdhari XI by 4-3 in Pool D and earned full points in the IndianOil Servo Silver Jubilee Surjt Hockey Tournament, in progress here at local Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium, Burlton Park, on Wednesday.
In A Pool ‘A’ league match, Independent Hockey Club, Sargodha (Pakistan) played 2-2 draw with Border Security Force of Jalandhar.
The securitymen took the lead in the 14th minute when their skipper Peter Tirky scored a filed goal. After break, the Saogodha boys restored parity in the 44th minute through Nazim Sheikh (1-1). In the very next minute the Pakistan team got a penalty stroke and Shafqat Rasool made no mistake to convertit (2-1). The Jalandhar players again equalised in the 56 th minute through Ajmal Khan (2-2) .
The Sialkot team, having 10 Olympians and international in their line-up, including Farhan Asif, Amair Saleem, Ateeq, M. Tofeeq Shabir, Akhtar Ali, Imran Butt, Waheed Islam, Abu Nakar and Mohammad Atif, forced their first penalty corner in the third minute. Adeel Akram converted it with ease. (1-0). Down by one goal the Namdhari boys mounted pressure and got the equalizer in the 13th minute through penalty corner conversion by international Gurwinder Singh (1-1).
In the first half, the Sialkot team’s international goal keeper Farhan Asif made brilliant saves. At half time Namdhari lads were leading by 2-1.
On resumption, the Pakistan boys started their attacks from right flank and earned their fifth panality corner. Skipper and defender Amir Saleem converted it to equalise the score (2-2). The Sialkot boys maintaind their pressure and took the lead in the 40th minute through skipper Amir Saleem who converted the 4th penalty corner in to goal (3-2).
The Namdhari boys again equlised in the 50th minute when Gurwinder Singh scored a nice field goal (3-3). Five minutes before the hooter, the Pakistab boys again got lead through Mohd. Atif off a pass from Abu baker (4-3).