Usha keep hopes alive

Usha KC goalkeeper Rasel Khan dives to foil an attempt by Abahani during their Green Delta Insurance Premier Division Hockey League match at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium yesterday.Photo: STAR

Usha KC kept their hopes of Green Delta Insurance Premier Division Hockey League title alive with a 1-1 draw against Abahani in their penultimate match at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium yesterday.
The draw took the Federation Cup champions' to 34 points, three behind leaders Mohammedan SC, both having played 13 matches. The two title-aspirants will face-off in the last match of the league on Monday.
A win or even a draw will crown Mohammedan champions while Usha will need to beat Mohammedan to force a play-off.
However it looked like Mohammedan would be crowned before that day as Usha trailed Abahani by 0-1 in the first half, thanks to a 20th-minute penalty corner conversion from Pakistani recruit Kashim Ali. To make matters worse, Usha missed a penalty stroke at the stroke of half time as Abahani veteran goalkeeper foiled Aktar Ali's feeble attempt.
But to their credit, Usha kept persisting and earned the equaliser in the 58th minute, through Shahbaz Ali's penalty corner conversion.
The draw did joint-holders Abahani little good as they remained in the third position with 29 points 13 matches.