Abahani-Bank final

Sonali Bank's Asaduzzaman Chandan (L) runs for joy after scoring the winning goal against Usha Krira Chakra in the second semifinal of the Brac Bank Club Cup hockey tournament at the Maulana Bhasani National Stadium yesterday. The Bankers will meet Abahani in Saturday's final.Photo: STAR

Abahani ousted defending champions Moha-mmedan 5-4 in the tiebreakers to set a Club Cup hockey final clash against surprise pack Sonali Bank, who upset Usha Krira Chakra 2-1.
The first semifinal, abandoned after 68 minutes on Wednesday, resumed at the Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium yesterday and the remaining one and half minutes could not separate archrivals Abahani and Mohammedan who were locked 1-1 after the temperamental game.
Rockey had given Abahani a 32-minute lead while Masum equalised for Mohammedan in the 68th minute but Abahani pressed the umpires to cancel the goal, which led to the umpires' refusal to continue the game further.
In the penalty shootout, John, Irfan, Rana and Masum converted Mohammedan's chances while Chayan, Kuti, Musa and Shuvo scored for the sky-blues as both sides maintained hundred percent record after the first four shots.
Shuvo was lucky as the umpire at first ruled out his goal although it rolled over the line following a save by Mohammedan keeper Kiran.
However, the pressing Abahani players got the decision in their favour after the two umpires discussed the issue and decided it was a goal.
It seemed to play tricks on the nerves of Zahid Bin Talib who was denied from the spot by Abahani keeper Zahid who made way for star striker Russel Mahmud Jimmy to find the net from the final stroke and take Abahani into tomorrow's final.
In the second semifinal, Rimon Kumar put Sonali Bank ahead after four minutes when he went round one defender with a pass from Iqbal Nader and put the ball into the far post.
Favourites Usha levelled two minutes later through a controversial goal from Imran Ahmed Sohel, who deflected in a right-side long hit by Rahul.
The Bankers protested the decision and taking inspiration from the Abahani-Mohammedan players' action on Wednesday, pushed the umpires to change the decision without any avail. They claimed that the goal was scored outside from the box and did not come off Sohel's stick.
The match resumed after an 8-minute stoppage and the Bankers, who dominated the rest of the show, sealed victory in the first half from the first of their five penalty corners.
The match winner came from Asaduzaman Chandan in the 20th minute who fired home after Enamul switched the ball towards his path instead of taking a firs-time hit after a combination between Shishu and Biplab during the short corner.
TEAMS
SONALI BANK: Jahangir, Biplab, Chandan, Turjo, Kamruzzaman, Ashiquzzaman, Alamgir, Ashraful, Nader, Rimon and Krishna; substitutes: Nahid, Nannu, Bappi.
USHA KC: Mahbub, Tabib, Tuhin, Hassan, Titu, Rajan, Habul, Dinar, Rahul, Ranjan, Sohel; substitutes: Kamal, Russell, Sweet.