The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Joint league champions Abahani Limited scraped

to a hard-fought 5-3 goals victory over formidable Sonali Bank SRC in their opening super league match of Green Delta Premier Division Hockey at the Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium on Wednesday.

With the day's win, Abahani Limited secured 25 points, but are still five points adrift of league leaders Usha KC, who bagged 30 points.

Sonali Bank remained at 19 points. In the day's match, Abahani led the first half by 4-2 goals.

Penalty corner specialist Mamunur Rahman Chayan put the popular "sky-blue" Dhanmondi outfit ahead in the very 3rd minute from penalty corner (1-0). Vice Captain Russell Mahmud Jimmy doubled the Abahani margin in the 8th minute with a field goal (2-0), while Moshiur Rahman Firoz and Pakistani Imran Khan scored two more field goals in the 12th and 21st minutes enabling Abahani to take 4-0 lead.

But the scenario soon changed as Sonali Bank scored three goals in a row to reduce the margin 4-3. Asaduzzaman Chandan scored the first goal for the bankers' team in the 32nd minute from a penalty corner to pull the margin one back (4-1).

Rimon Kumar, who was called up for the national squad for Asia Cup qualifier this time, made the match exciting scoring two successive field goals in the 34th and 39th minutes (4-3).

Mamunur Rahman Chayan, who opened the Abahani account first, sealed the fate of the match scoring the last goal of the match in the 51st minute from his favorite penalty corner (5-3).

Sonali Bank managed three penalty corners during the match and could utilize one, but Abahani notched hundred percent success as they converted the two penalty corners that came their way.

Today's match: Mohammedan SC vs Ajax SC (4pm).