The New Nation - Internet Edition

Usha defeat Abahani

Sports Reporter

Usha KC defeated Abahani Limited by 4-2 goals in the day's lone match of the Green Delta Insurance Premier Division Hockey League at the Moulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium on Sunday.

After yesterday's outcome Usha maintained their top spot in the first league securing maximum 27 points from nine matches while Abahani took the second spot collecting 22 points from as many outings.

Usha KC showed a better brand of hockey than their opponents and won the match as they deserved it.

The victorious team led the first half 2-0.

Habul of Usha KC put his team ahead by a field goal in the 11th minute of the match.

After one minute Akhter of Usha dodged past Abahni goalie and doubled the margin by a field goal.

In the 20th minute Abahani got a penalty stroke but Chayan missed the golden chance.

After the breather Jimmi of Abahani reduced the margin using a pass of Imran in the 38th minute of the play.

Tariq of Usha made it 3-1 by a field goal in the 49th minute of the encounter.

Mudasser of Abahani Limited decreased the margin using a free hit of Rana in the 61st minute of he match.

Akhter sealed the fate of the match by a penalty stroke just two minutes before the long whistle.

Bangabandhu Hall beat Jagannath Hall by 2-0 sets

UNB, Dhaka

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall made a good start in the Dhaka University Inter-Hall Boys' Volleyball tournament beating Jagannath Hall by straight 2-0 sets in the opening match at the DU central playground on Sunday.

Dhaka University Treasurer Prof Syed Abul Kalam formaly inaugurated the five-day meet. Convenor of University Volleyball Committee Prof Tahmina Akhter was present.

Six boys' and four girls' halls of the university are taking in the respective groups of the meet.

BFF to announce final squad for SAFF Championship today

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) will announce a 20-member final squad today (Monday) for the 5th SAFF Championship to be held June 3-14 in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

The BFF will pick up the final squad from 28 booters, initially selected on March 22, for a residential training camp at the BKSP in Savar under its new coach and former national defender Mohammad Abu Yousuf.

In the 5th SAFF Championship, Bangladesh have been placed in Group B with Afghanistan, Bhutan and co-host Sri Lanka. Bangladesh will play Bhutan on June 4, Afghanistan on June 6 and hosts Sri Lanka on June 8.

Bangladesh team is expected to leave here Tuesday (May 27) for Thailand en route to Sri Lanka to play two preparation matches in Bangkok on May 28 and 30.

Meanwhile, national football team played two preparation matches here ahead of the SAFF championship.

In the first practice match at the Narsingdi Stadium on Thursday, the Bangladesh national side played to a 1-1 draw with All African XI with Abul Hossain scoring the lone goal for Abu Yousuf's men.

In the second preparation match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Saturday, the national team, riding on a Emily goal, earned a face-saving 1-0 victory over Sporting Independent, a team that comprised leading local players now outside the national side.

Preliminary squad: Aminul Haque, Biplob Bhatachariya, Ziaur Rahman Zia, Hasan Al Mamun, Wali Faisal, Ariful Islam, Rajani Kanta Barman, Arup Kumar Baddya, Atiqur Rahman Mishu, Mahmudul Hasan, Kazi Mozammel Hossain Saikat, Zahirul Islam, Arman Aziz, Enamul Haq Sharif, Maruf Ahmed, Zumratul Hossain Mithu, Faisal Mahmud, Zahid Hossain, Zahid Pervez Chowdhury, Zumratul Hossain Mithu, Mohammad Kabir Hossain, Mobarak Hossain Bhuiyan, Kollal Kumar Ghosh Zuku, Mamunul Islam Mamun, Mehdi Hasan Ujjal, Abul Hossain, Mohammad Robin, Zahid Hasan Ameli and Abdul Baten Majumder Komol.

Officials: Team leader- Mohammad Shafiquzzaman, Manager-Sheikh Mohammad Aslam, Coach - Mohammad Abu Yousuf, Assistant coach- Golam Rabbani Chotan, Physio -Dr Mahfuzullah Chisty

Bangladesh eves' team beat Pakistan 23-16

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Women's Handball team reached the final of the four-team 3rd South Asian Handball Championship beating Pakistan by 23-16 goals in the last league match in Lucknow on Sunday morning.

With this feat, Bangladesh reached their initial target and now even hope for a dream result upsetting hosts India for the first time.

Maina Begum and Kamrun Nahar Sheela, both from Tetulia of Panchaghar district, scored eight goals each for Bangladesh which dominated the first half 11-7.

Bangladesh, which finished runners-up in the 2nd version of the meet at home in 2000, will again play the final against holders India on Sunday night at 8:30 pm Bangladesh time at the same venue.

India marched to the final with all-win record securing full six points from three matches.

Bangladesh managed the final berth with four points after conceding a 7-28 goals defeat against India in their first match on Saturday morning. But they returned to the title race outplaying all-losers Nepal by 33-8 goals after dominating the first half 18-1 on Saturday night and confirmed the final berth outplaying Pakistan on Sunday morning.

Earlier, in the league basis matches, India made a flying start outclassed Nepal by 33-4 goals on Friday, Pakistan outplayed Nepal by 29-7 goals, while India crushed Pakistan by 43-7 goals on Saturday.

Rangpur reach semis as last team

UNB, Dhaka

Rangpur DSA advanced to the semifinals of the 28th National Cricket Championship as the last team with a five-wicket win over Khulna DSA in the quarterfinal at the Sylhet Stadium here Sunday.

Opting to bat first, Khulna DSA were all out for paltry 123 runs in 48.3 overs with Dildar scoring 25 runs, while Shamim made 20.

Rony captured three wickets for 11 runs while Tanvir took one wicket for 8 runs.

In reply, Rangpur DSA easily reached victory scoring 125 runs in 41.4 overs for the loss of five wickets.

Tanvir played an unbeaten knock of 48 runs off 94 balls with six fours, while Salahuddin scored 33 runs and Sujon made not out 21.

Masum bagged two wickets for 23 runs, while Dipu and Biswanath took one wicket each.

Tanvir of Rangpur DSA was later adjudged man of the match.

Meanwhile, Dhaka DSA face Barisal DSA in the first semifinal tomorrow (Monday), while Rangpur DSA meet Narayanganj DSA in the 2nd semifinal on Tuesday, both at the Sylhet Stadium.

Eskaton Sabuj Sangha emerge champion in 2nd Div Cricket League

UNB, Dhaka

Eskaton Sabuj Sangha emerged champions in the Metropolis Second Division Cricket League beating Prime Doleshwar SC by 13 runs in the final at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium (DCS) here Sunday.

Deciding to bat first in a curtailed over match (39-overs per side), Eskaton Sabuj Sangha scored a moderate 149 for 7 in 39 overs with Imran top scoring 64 runs, while Nahian made 34.

Mehrab and Shahriar claimed three wickets each for 25 and 33 runs respectively.

In reply, Prime Doleshwar SC were dismissed for 136 in 35.2 overs. Mustafizur scored 48 runs, while Siraj made 24.

Nahian claimed three wickets for 21 runs, while Shafiqul, Shahriar and Bappi took two wickets apiece.

Meanwhile, both Eskaton Sabuj Sangha and Prime Doleshwar SC have gained promotion to next season's First Division Cricket League.

History Deptt meets Political Science Dept in final

UNB, Dhaka

History Department will face Political Science in the final match of the Dhaka College Inter-Department Football tournament today (Monday) at 9 am at the Dhaka College ground.

Director General of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Directorate Prof KM Aurangazeb will be the chief guest in the final. Dhaka College Principal Prof. Bashirul Haque will preside over the closing function.

Vice President of Bangladesh Football Federation Badal Roy and Vice Principal of Dhaka College Prof Dr Anwar Alam Khan will be present as special guests.

Twenty-two teams representing different departments of the college took part in the knockout basis tournament.

Abahani beat Nepalese club 2-0 in int'l beach volleyball

UNB, Cox's Bazar

Abahani Limited made a good start in the women's section of the International Beach Volleyball Tournament beating Jawlakhel Sports Club of Nepal by 2-0 sets in the opening match at Laboni Point of this resort town.

In the men's section, an Indian team defeated Bangladesh Power Development Board, also by 2-0 sets.

Earlier, Army Chief and National Sports Council (NSC) Chairman General Moeen U Ahmed formally inaugurated the competition as chief guest.

Deputy commissioner of Cox's Bazar Sajjadul Hasan, Bangladesh Volleyball Federation president Golam Quddus Chowdhury and Federation officials were present on the occasion.

Speaking briefly at the inaugural function, Gen Moeen said volleyball is the most popular game in the world after football. "We've to arrange more tournaments to further popularise the game in the country," he added.

Some 15 teams -- eight men's and seven women's -- are participating in the competition.

Participating men's team: India, Nepal Police, Bangladesh Police, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Air Force, Bangladesh Rifles, PDB and Cox's Bazar Eleven.

Women's team: Indonesia, India, Jawlakhel Sports Club (Nepal), Bangladesh Police, Abahani Limited, SNT and Mitali Sangha.

New Zealand lead by 179 runs after England collapses

AP, Manchester

New Zealand seized control of the second test Sunday with a 179-run lead after England was dismissed in its first innings for 202.

Captain Daniel Vettori took his second straight five-wicket haul as England lost six batsmen for only 50 runs on the third day - with a trio of catches by Ross Taylor - and narrowly avoided the follow-on.

Taylor first caught Pietersen at slip for 26 and ended Bell's innings for eight after spilling the catch at first. Paul Collingwood scored only two runs before being given out lbw after being struck on his back leg, while Taylor caught wicketkeeper Tim

Ambrose at slip for three.

As wild winds swirled around Old Trafford, Brendon McCullum dived at full stretch at first slip to spectacularly catch Monty Panesar for one after only three minutes at the crease.

Stuart Broad then snatched the two runs that avoided the follow-on and ended with 30 in 47 balls, caught at extra cover by substitute Jeetan Patel.

New Zealand lost no second-innings wickets in the three overs before lunch but it remained unclear whether batsman Daniel Flynn would be able to return as he recovers from losing two teeth Friday.

The visitors scored 381 in their first innings.

The first test was drawn.