Mariners gunning for maiden title

Dhaka Mariners Youngs Club will be hoping to end their trophy drought in top-flight hockey when they take on reigning champions Usha Krira Chakra in the Green Delta Insurance Premier Division Hockey League's final Super Six match at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium today.

Dhaka Mariners Youngs have been a familiar name in the country's sports fraternity since their debut in top-flight hockey in 1989, but the Motijheel-based outfit have never claimed any title or trophy at the top level, always playing second fiddle to powerhouses like Abahani, Mohammedan or Usha.

The Mariners' best finishes came in 2006 and 2010, when they finished second after joint champions were declared. Abahani and Mohammedan shared the title in 2006 and Abahani and Usha in 2010.

This time around however they are real contenders, putting in scintillating performances and showing no mercy or hesitation in dispatching their opponents.

With two old foes Abahani and Mohammedan crashing out of the title race, Usha are the only team that stand between Mariners and a coveted maiden premier hockey league title.

The in-form Mariners will go into the match with 40 points from 15 matches, boasting a two-point lead over their opponents, which means they will need only a draw to ensure the prestigious title, while five-time champions Usha have no choice but to go for the jugular.

Under the guidance of German coach Peter Gerhard, the Mariners had a frustrating start in the 12-team league, securing only four points from their first three outings. Since then, they have been consistent and recovered the deficit to maintain pole position heading into the decider today.

“In hockey, you can't play for a draw because it is always possible to concede two or three goals from penalty corners in the span of a few minutes. So you must play for the win and we will go for it tomorrow [Friday],” said Gerhard yesterday.

Although the Mariners have been in good form and are billed as favourites, Gerhard placed Usha ahead of them despite Usha's 3-5 defeat to Mohammedan in the round's penultimate match.

On the other hand, Usha are confident of turning things around after two frustrating matches: a 1-1 draw against Abahani and the loss to Mohammedan.

“It is a do-or-die match for us and we have only strategy; win the match,” said Usha KC coach Mamunur Rashid, who is comparatively less worried because his side is not up against Abahani or Mohammedan in the decider.

“Although we beat them 4-1 in the first meeting, they have gained more strength as the league progressed and we are taking this match very seriously,” said Rashid, who believes that Usha must be wary of defensive lapses such as the ones seen against Mohammedan. He also opined that special performances would be needed from his trio of strikers -- Pushkor Khisa Mimo, Krishna Kumar and Hasan Jubair Niloy.