Usha enter Super 6 on top
Usha Krira Chakra entered the Super Six stage of the Green Delta Insurance Premier Division Hockey League with a three-point lead after a 3-2 win over title-rivals Abahani at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium yesterday.
The defending champions came into this top-of-the-table clash in the afternoon level on points with Mariner Youngs Club, who had earlier won by a record 22-1 goal margin against Railway SC.
A brace from national striker Pushkor Khisha Mimo and one goal by Pakistani recruit Aleem Belal handed Usha all three points. The Old Dhaka outfit took the lead after 13 minutes when Belal hit the board from a penalty corner taken by Krishna Kumar. The lead was doubled six minutes later as Krishna's pass was turned in with a reverse-hit by Mimo.
Shakeel Abbasi reduced the margin from a penalty corner in the 28th minute, but Usha restored their two-goal advantage in the 46th minute, thanks to a diagonal shot from inside the circle by Mimo. Abahani pulled another goal back through Kasif Ali in the 51st minute, but Usha held on to the slender lead to pocket a valuable victory.
While Usha ended the group stage on top, the defeat saw Abahani finish in fourth position, with Mariners in second and Mohammedan in third. Bangladesh SC and Wanderers Club grabbed the other two spots for the Super Six.
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