Mariners leave it late

Joint champions Abahani stumbled in the Green Delta Insurance Premier Division Hockey League by surrendering a two-goal lead in a 3-3 draw against Dhaka Mariner Youngs Club at the Manulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium yesterday.

The first draw in four matches means Abahani spoiled an opportunity to join leaders Usha KC at the top, and had to stay in second position alongside Dhaka Wanderers Club with 10 points from four matches. Dhaka Mariner Youngs, on the other hand, have four points from three matches.  

Club Cup champions Abahani had beaten the same opposition 3-2 in the club cup semifinal and they dominated the match yesterday too, but failed to notch the victory, thanks to the lacklustre defending at the latter stages of the match.

Played amid drizzle and after heavy showers, which had forced the start of the match 40 minutes later than scheduled, Abahani received a jolt in the seventh minute. Playing with five Pakistani recruits against only two foreigners fielded by Mariners', the Sky Blues conceded the lead when Raju Ahmed scored from close range after goalkeeper Ashim Gope had thwarted an attempt from Moinul Islam Koushik.

However, Abahani took little time to equalise as Rumman Sarker, the best player of the Club Cup, found the back of the board through the legs of Mariners' goalkeeper Mehrab Hossain in the 14th minute.  Shafqat Rasool then gave the Sky Blues the lead in the 30th minute availing a fumble from Mariners' defender Mamunur Rahman Chayan.

Pakistani Mohammad Irfan further widened the margin in the 49th minute with a strike to the upper corner of the net.

But Mariners stepped up the ante to stage a brilliantly comeback by scoring two goals in the last six minutes. Chayan converted a penalty corner in the 64th minute before Arshad Hossain levelled the margin with one minute left of regulation time.