Sonali almost in final

Unbeaten Sonali Bank all but ensured a place in the Dhaka Bank Victory Day hockey tournament final when they crossed a major hurdle yesterday.
The bankers' all-win run extended when they crushed Bangladesh Army 3-0 after leading 1-0 at the break at the Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium.
A brace by Zahid Bin Talib in the 22 and 52 minutes put the result beyond any doubt while Russell Mahmud Jimmy sealed the victory in the 55th minute.
Sonali Bank face title aspirants BKSP on January 10 in their last league match.
In another match, Bangladesh Air Force drubbed bottom-table Barnak Samaj 7-0 with Russell slotting four goals, Mamun two and Mobarak one.
The competition will resume tomorrow after a day's rest with matches between Bangladesh Navy and Barnak Samaj and BKSP and Bangladesh Army.