Abahani clinch fourth title
Abahani clinched the Khaza Rahmatullah Club Cup hockey tournament title with a single-goal win over Dhaka Mariner Youngs Club at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium yesterday.
Sohanur Rahman Sabuj scored the all-important goal, which helped the Sky Blues equal Mohammedan SC and Usha KC's record of four club cup trophies as well. On the other hand, Dhaka Mariner Young's Club had to be content with a runners-up trophy from their first appearance in a final for the last 14 years.
In the final, which was delayed for approximately one hour due to heavy rain, Mariner Young's initially showed promise as they pressed hard for the lead, seemingly motivated to win their first club cup. The Arambagh-based outfit came close in the very third minute when Moinul Islam Koushik launched a fierce hit from the right but Hasan Jubair Niloy failed to connect from inside the circle.
The Sky Blues grew in confidence after that and built up their game from behind after thwarting a few more attacks. Abahani thought they got their noses ahead through former national forward Krishna Kumar, but the goal was disallowed as referee Selim Lucky reverted his initial decision after consulting with his assistant Shahbaz Ali following protests from Mariner Young's players, halfway through the first half.
However, Krishna found the back of the net a few minutes later but once again it was cancelled as the ball embraced the net after a deflection from a Mariner Young's defender. Koushik also took another fierce shot from the right but similarly Niloy failed to connect from in front of the post, frustrating the Mariner Young's fans.
After resumption, Abahani had better control over the ball and got their first penalty corner in the 40th minute. That proved decisive though as Sohanur Rahman Sabuj converted it with a combination of Izwan Firdaus and Sarwar Hossain.
Afterwards, Abahani kept up their dominance and earned three more penalty corners but could not convert any of those. Mariner Young's had a great opportunity to level the margin from a penalty corner in the dying minutes of the game but failed to score while Abahani goalkeeper Abu Sayeed Nippon also thwarted a ferocious shot from Nayeemuddin to ensure their second title in a row.
Abahani dedicated the trophy to the late Khaza Rahmatullah, former national team and Abahani player and BHF general secretary.
“It was a really exciting final. The opponents were better than us but we played according to the plan of coach Mahbub Harun and that was the reason behind such a victory,” said Abahani captain Ruman Saker.
“Both teams played a very good and high-octane match, which was very close. It was hard luck for our boys but I am proud of them. We are now looking forward to defending the premier league title,” said Mariner Young's German coach Oliver Kurtz.