KARACHI – Host Pakistan Customs defeated guest Ghana Customs 4-2 in the Quaid-e-Azam Cup Hockey Tournament which began here Wednesday at two grounds simultaneously.

The visitors played some good hockey and trailed by slenderest 1-0 margin at half time here at Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium.

The West African nation fought well in the first session and succeeded in holding at bay a strong striking forward-line of the host team. However, in the second session, they conceded three goals but also twice struck the opponents’ net to leave the field satisfied with their performance.

Nicholas Hanson and Isaac Mosos netted for the Ghanaian team which is here at the invitation of its Pakistani counterpart to appear in the championship named after father of the nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Ahsan, Inayatullah, Tasawwar Abbas and Rao Amir scored for the winners. A handful of spectators at the HCP applauded as the Ghanaian team left the field. In another match played earlier at the HCP, National Bank outplayed Port Qasim 4-2 in the opening match of the championship at the HCP.

Leading 3-1 at half time, the bankers scored through Naeem Akber (2), Khurram Shahzad and Muhammed Ateeq one each.

Muhammad Azher and Ali Azlan netted for the Ports men. At OISSA ground located in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Habib Bank had better of Sindh with 3-1 score.

The organisers, meanwhile, will be forced to revise the schedule of the matches as Army has withdrawn from the competition.

Army, which was originally included in the initial draw of the championship, have withdrawn from the championship. It is the second team after Balochistan to excuse to play. No reason was given why Army is withdrawing from the event but there is a reason for Balochistan to miss out the event.