Lahore, 9 April: Holders Faisalabad staged recovery to beat Lahore 2-1 in the final of 71st Punjab Games Football Tournament at Kotha Pind’s Raiders FC Ground, Faisal Town, Lahore on Saturday morning. It was second consecutive win for Faisalabad in the event. They also defeated the same rival in the final at Model Town Football Academy Ground, Lahore four years ago.
According to President of Lahore District Football Association Mian Rizwan Ali all the seven matches of three-day football event were allotted to Raiders FC Ground at Kotha Pind, Faisal Town, Lahore following a tremendous All Punjab Raiders Cup recently.
The three goals of the final were recoded in the first half while second session remained barren. Imtiaz coached-Faisalabad conceded 28th minute goal when Lahore’s striker Fahad Tariq punished keeper blunder but they drew level through penalty kick in the 35th minute converted by midfielder Basit Naeem. Five minutes from interval, winger Atif Hussain steered the winner from close range. Earlier, Sahiwal outkicked Multan 4-3 on penalties to win bronze medals.
The final was supervised, under Match Commissioner Chaudhry Abdul Rasheed, by Afzal Bari, supported by Irfan Aslam, Mehr Shabbir and 4th Official Muhammad Anwar.
Punjab Olympic Association (POA) organised Games participated by nine regions of Punjab including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Gujranwala, Dera Ghazi Khan and Sargodha.
“The friendly atmosphere prevailed throughout the duration of the Games, which is concluded with the hopes of bringing the all districts of Punjab together. The districts share a common history and culture, with many people on every side of the districts related to one another,” said Rizwan Ali. Earlier in semi-finals, Lahore beat Multan 4-2 and Faisalabad overran Sahiwal 2-1
Full Results
7 April: Multan 1 Gujranwala 0, Sahiwal 1 Dera Ghazi Khan 0, Faisalabad 3 Sargodha 2
8 April: ( semi-finals) Lahore 4 Multan 2, Faisalabad 2 Sahiwal 1
9 April: Final : Faisalabad 2 Lahore 1 ¾ : Multan 1 Sahiwal 1 ( Sahiwal won 4-3 on PSO)