Wanderers held by QHA in opener

GREAT GOING: Action from the opening round of the Qatar National League

Qatar Hockey Academy held three time champions Wanderers HC  to a 2-2 draw in the inaugural match of the first division Qatar National Hockey League. The youngsters came twice from behind to earn their first points in the premier division.
Wanderers were playing without their star Junaid Courting but with two outstation players Craig and Yadwinder Singh they opened their account in the 24th minute through former Air-India player Savio Naik.
Even before the celebrations could end, Saqib Patel equalised for Qatar Hockey Academy. Yadwinder sounded the boards again off a penalty corner in the 50th minute but with only five minutes to go Sheraz Ali equalised through a well taken drag flick off a penalty corner.
The match was well contested with QHA showing more enthusiasm and energy and having more possession. However, the Wanderers defence led by Jude and Conroy and the mid-field marshaled effectively by Rohit Charles later ensured that the champions did not lose their first encounter of the season.  Savio was adjudged the MVP.
The second match of the evening turned out to be a thriller. Al Fowriya Gateway overcame a star studded Qapex Rayyan by four goals to two. Al Fowriya have signed two Pakistan internationals, Sultan Ashraf and Nasir Shehzad this year to strengthen the side.
Sultan Ashraf made his presence felt from the very beginning and went on to score two goals, in the third and 30th minute. Waseem playing as a deep defender scored the third goal in the 68th minute while Nasir Shahzad scored off a brilliant solo effort in the 69th.
Qapex Rayyan’s manager Ahsaan Khan has put in a lot of effort this year to hire some quality hockey players including Pakistan champion team WAPDA players Farhan, Nadeem and Rizwan. However, several misses in front of the goal and some brilliant goalkeeping by Shafeel in the Fowriya goal denied Qapex their first points in the league.
The third match was a friendly affair but the much stronger Vodafone DHC -1 got the better of their second team with a 6-0 margin.
The Domenic Cunningham led Vodafone team scored through Adrian, Alex Gill-2, Armando and Menno and they now lead the first division. Armando was the MVP of the match.