Abahani and Bangladesh Army cruised into the final of the Walton Victory Day Hockey by beating Azad SC and Usha KC respectively at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium yesterday. The final will be held tomorrow.
While Abahani’s victory over Azad was expected the Army’s win over Usha can be considered an upset. Abahani dominated all through the match as Azad players - all of whom are BKSP students - could not cope with the experience of their opponents. However Abahani missed a good number of chances and Azad goalie Shumon also pulled out a number of superb saves.
Abahani took the lead at the eight minute mark off a penalty corner and the converter was experienced winger Sheikh Md.Nannu. Forward Hasan Jubaer Niloy scored a field goal in the 13th minute and Ashraful Islam scored from another penalty corner in the 29th. The first half ended 3-0.
After the change of ends, Abahani maintained the pressure but continuously wasted scoring chances. The title contenders had to be content with only two strikes in the second half and both of them were field goals. Din Islam scored the fourth in the 58th minute and Naeemuddin scored the last two minutes later to give Abahani a 5-0 win.
In the other semi-final, Usha forward Rubel Hossain put his team ahead in the eight minute but Abdul Malek of Army restored the parity with a field goal 11 minutes later. The Army proceeded to dominate the rest of the game and Ripon Kumar Mohanta, Sagor Hossain and Milon Hossain each scored a goal for the more physically fit Army. Malek added his second goal in the 43rd minute providing his team a perfect warm-up ahead of the final.
