LAHORE, Feb 5: Punjab, under the captaincy of Adnan Ayub, upset all calculations by imposing a 2-1 win over formidable Karachi to earn bronze in the National Under-13 Festival of Football at the Model Town Football Academy (MTFA) Ground on Thursday.

Leading from the front, Ayub showed his class throughout the 70-minute completion. Controlling the frontline, he would also revert back in the field to lend a hand to his team’s defense.

After a dull 0-0 first half, Punjab surged ahead in the 50th minute through their winger Waqar Azeem. Midfielder Mohammad Amaz went up field and cut the ball in from the right flank. The unmarked Waqar took his time and hammered the ball into the left corner past Nadir Ali.

But their joy was short-lived as five minutes later, Karachi’s midfielder Zafar Ahmed hoodwinked three markers to give keeper Mohammad Hussain no chance with his close-range drive.

Punjab regained the lead through winger Mohammad Nawaz in the 60th minute. Nawaz’s well-timed left footer flashed past Nadir’s right hand from the edge of the area.

The final between Sahiwal and NWFP will be played at the same venue on Friday at 3.45pm.—Agencies