Abahani exact revenge on MSC
Abahani exacted revenge for their first-leg defeat against archrivals Mohammedan with a 4-2 win in the Super Five stage of the Green Delta Insurance Premier Division Hockey League at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium yesterday.
Abahani, who lost the first-leg match 4-0, thwarted 12 out of 14 penalty corners taken by Gonzalo Peilet of Argentina, once regarded the best penalty corner flicker in the world, to come back in title race with 36 points from 14 matches.
The outcome of the match helped Mariner Youngs as they now need a single point from the two remaining matches against Abahani and Mohammedan to regain the prestigious title.
The Arambagh-based outfit, who defeated Bangladesh SC 7-1 in the day's second match, have 39 points from 13 matches while Mohammedan have 33 points from 13 matches.
The Sky Blues dominated most of the match except for the third quarter and marked Argentine forward Joaquin Menini tightly to keep Mohammedan away from making any damage. They also brilliantly defended Mohammedan's attacks and corner kicks.
The Sky Blues led the first half 2-1 through strikes from Khorshedur Rahman and Arshad Hossian while Peilet scored one for Mohammedan in the first quarter.
After resumption, Abahani widened the margin 3-1 through another penalty corner from Khorshed before Mohammedan put tremendous pressure in the third quarter to reduce the margin 3-2 through a penalty-corner from Peilet.
The Argentine squandered a penalty stroke to blow a chance to draw Mohammedan level before Dutchman Bjorn Kellerman wrapped up the victory for Abahani two minutes from time.
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