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LAHORE: Sahiwal took the advantage during penalty shootout and clinched the title of 12th National U14 Festival of Football by defeating NWFP here at Jinnah Stadium Tuesday. The final ended at 0-0 at full-time and Sahiwal won the title with a narrow 4-3 win in tie break in a penalty shootout, said a statement issued here.
It was second time running both the teams entered the final and Sahiwal emerged victorious on both occasion. Sahiwal were also triumphant at MTFA Lahore last year, winning by 1-0.
Earlier, in the third place match Balochistan outkicked Afghan FC 5-1 on penalties to win bronze medal. It was 1-1 after full-time. The final also went into tie break and winners were supported by Rehman, Usman, Rahim and Bilal while NWFP replied through Asad, Sohail and Umar.
The chief guest of the final was Federal Sports Secretary Anisul Hasnain Mousavi while Islamabad Football Association (IFA) Acting President Sharafat Bukhari presided over the function. Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Secretary Ahmed Yar Khan Lodhi was also present on the occasion.
On direction of President, PFF, Faisal Saleh Hayat attractive cash awards were presented to teams and players. Sahiwal grabbed the winning trophy and gold medal from chief guest in addition to Rs50,000 while NWFP had to content with silver medal and Rs30,000.
Favourites Balochistan grabbed bronze medal and Rs20,000. Sahiwal's Abdul Rehman was adjudged Most Valuable Player (MVP) and he pocketed Rs5,000 while leading marksman Raza Ali (Srgodha, 6 goals) and best goalkeeper Muhammad Usman (NWFP) took Rs5,000 each.
In order to promote sportsmanship, PFF chief had also decided to hand over Rs10,000 to winner of Fair Play Trophy and Balochistan deserved the award with sportsmanship throughout the show.
The 23rd and final match of competition was supervised by Muhammad Afzal, supported on the line by Amir Iqbal, Irshad-ul-Haq and 4th official Khurram Shahzad. -APP
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