Usha eye hattrick; Abahani revenge

While Usha Krira Chakra will be looking to capture a third Club Cup Hockey title on the trot, arch-rivals Abahani will try to exact revenge for the previous two defeats when the two sides meet in the third consecutive final today. The match will get underway at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium at 3:00pm and will be telecast live on ATN Bangla.

The road to the final of this season's curtain-raiser, which featured all the big Dhaka clubs after four long years, has not been an easy one for either side. While both teams breezed through the group stages, finishing top of their respective groups, the semifinal hurdles proved to be a little too intense. Usha, guided by Mamunur Rashid, had to overcome a spirited Mohammedan side in penalty shootout while Abahani, coached by Mahbub Harun, needed a last-ditch strike to break Mariner Youngs' hearts.

Both teams, however, have been propelled mostly by their foreign recruits. Abahani have four Pakistani players – Shakil Abbasi, Tousif Arshad, Shafqat Rasul and Mohammad Irfan -- to thank for for their progression while Usha's strength has been bolstered by four Malaysians – Abu Ismail, Shafiq Cholan, Zulhairi Bin Hashim and Faizal Bin Shari. While the Pakistani recruits of Abahani are thought to revel on their individual skill, it is the discipline and teamwork that makes the Malaysians of Usha formidable.

However, there have also been some notable performers from among the local players, including Abahani midfielder Rumman Sarkar, who was the best performer of the side in their last two matches.  Usha have Pushkor Khisha Mimo and Hasan Jubayer Niloy who could be lethal in front of goal. So the battle for this year's title could go down the wire.

Abahani skipper and goalie Asim Gope felt if the forwards click, they can win the final. “We will go for a win because Abahani never want to finish second. The performances of our forwards have fluctuated, but tomorrow [Monday] we will hope they will give their best,” the national team goalkeeper said at the pre-final press conference.

Usha skipper Krishna Kumar was confident that his side can complete the hattrick of club cup titles. “We are all eager to win hattrick of club cup titles. We want teamwork, and if we can have that, we will be unbeatable,” said the national team midfielder.