KARACHI – Favourites to win the national title at the ongoing NBP 57th National Hockey Championship, NBP recorded its fifth straight victory here on Friday when they defeated HBL by a low 2-1 margin at the Hockey Club of Pakistan.
The NBP, which won its previous four matches by big margins just managed to squeeze through to low margin victory over a weak Habib Bank. At one stage in the closing five minutes NBP was under threat of defeat when the Habib Bank mounted a number of threatening assaults that almost breached NBP defence.
However, time and a late goal came to their rescue and the team left the field relieved collecting full three points, carrying the total to fifteen, the biggest amongst the ten contesting teams.
The goal that secured victory came with six minutes left in the final hooter. Lithesome Muhammad Ateeq converted his fourth penalty corner for National Banks second goal that sealed the fate of the contest in favour of the winners.
Earlier, in 24th minute Muhammad Ateeq hit the board for his teams first goal.
The HBL did not do much to threaten its strong opponent until the closing minutes of play. The HBL played with more vigour in the last ten minutes and almost turned the tables on their opponents.
The dull encounter played at pedestrian pace jumped to life when HBL earned couple of quick penalty corners. When six minutes from time Shahbaz Ali netted the equalizer for HBL off a rebound in a penalty corner, panic griped NBP. The HBL earned one more PC but could not convert it.
In the closing minute of play a lightening attack almost brought second equalizer for the losers.
Source: http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Sports/10-Apr-2010/NBP-record-fifth-straight-victory
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