ISLAMABAD, Jan 25: The NWFP thrashed Islamabad 4-1 on tie-breaker in the first quarter-final of the third National U-21 football championship at the Jinnah Stadium here on Sunday.

The match ended 2-2 after a tense, electrifying 90-minute battle.

Hosts Islamabad, who topped from Group ‘B’ and were firm favourites to beat the NWFP, failed to utilise several chances and finally eliminated on penalty-kicks.

Islamabad’s striker Mohammad Farooq scored their first goal in the 40th minute.

The NWFP utilised the penalty-kick, through midfielder Mohammad Rasheed, awarded to them due to reckless challenge inside Islamabad’s area just before the interval.

The second session saw an explosive start when the NWFP, against the run of play, went ahead through spearhead Badshah Hussain’s goal in the 44th second.

Winger Zubair Ahmed made it 2-2 six minutes from time.

Alamgir Khan, Zohaib Shah, Badshah Hussain and Rasheed Ali sent the ball past Islamabad’s keeper to win the match 4-1.

Islamabad’s only goal came through Zubair Ahmed.

The other quarter-final played between Punjab and Afghan FC ended without any goal after two hours of play.

Punjab showed better commitment on penalties and clinched the issue 4-2.

Waqas Ali, Abdul Razzaq, Zafarullah and Asif Khan scored for the winners while Afghan replied through Abdullah Khan and Maazullah.

Monday’s quarter-finals:

PEL v Sindh (12.30pm); FATA v Wohaib FC (2.30 pm).—PPI