ISLAMABAD: Malaika Noor led Young Rising Star’s 7-1 drubbing
of Peshawar’s Frontier College as the 2008 national champions moved into
the semifinals of the Sixth National Women Football Championship on
Tuesday.Noor took her tournament goal tally to six as she put four past a
hapless FC side in quarterfinal played at Islamabad’s Jinnah Stadium.
She is now one behind Islamabad’s Mejzgaan Orakzai – the tournament’s
leading goal-scorer.
The prolific striker helped YRS consolidate their lead over the
tournament debutants after Zahra Kiyani and Asma Yaseen scored in the
first half. Winger Zahra opened the scoring in the 13th minute and
followed it up with another goal 11 minutes later. The score was 3-0
when midfielder Asma scored in the 32nd minute.
Noor scored two goals in each half with strikes in the 35th, 44th,
56th and 67th minutes to become the third hat-trick scorer of the
tournament.
Aisha earned consolation goal for losers in the 49th minute.
Ghias Uddin Baloch’s side will now face Lahore’s Social Sciences in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, Wapda joined YRS, Islamabad and Social Sciences in the
semis with a 3-0 win over Sindh in the second match of the day.
Sindh showed a solid defensive display in the first half to fend off
Wapda attacks but the deadlock was eventually broken in the 39th minute
by Rafia Parveen. Parveen, who joined Wapda from Vehari United, scored
after a fine one-two with Nadia Bhatti and scored her second six minutes
later with help from a right-wing cross from Naila Rani.
Wednesday’s fixtures (semifinals) Pakistan Wapda vs. Islamabad (4.45 PM, Jinnah Stadium)
Young Rising Star vs. Sports Sciences (4.45 PM, Ground No.2)