Evenly-sided affairs marked the inaugural day of the Hockey Champions Trophy, the country's first ever franchise hockey league, but Acme Chattogram and Rupayan City Cumilla had the last laugh beating Saif Power Khulna and Monarch Mart Padma respectively.
Both the closely fought games ended in same 3-2 margin, producing thrilling final quarter at the newly decorated Maulana Bhashani Stadium Friday.
Chattogram recorded the first win of the historic event thanks to a brace from Indian midfielder Devinder Walmiki.
Walmiki scored the first goal of the league in the 26th minute before adding other in the 38th minute, both from penalty corners.
German forward Florian Elvis Sperling extended the lead in the 53rd minute.
Tanzim Ahmed had leveled the margin in the 34th minute while Khorshedur Rahman's goal a minute before stipulated time could only reduce the margin for Khulna.
In the other match, Monarch Mart Padma, owned by star cricketer Shakib al Hasan, could have been thrashed by Cumilla as they conceded 3-0 in the first two quarters.
Obaidul Hossain Joy took the lead from a fine build-up before local icon Sohanur Rahman Sabuj doubled the score with a precise reverse hit.
Pushkar Khisa Mimo added the other for Cumilla.
Padma showed momentum to fight back in the final quarter where Korean forward Seo Woo Hyeong scored both the goals for the losing side.
