Abahani beat Mariner as Mohammedan crush Sonali Bank

Club Cup champions Dhaka Abahani Limited beat defending champions Dhaka Mariner Young's Club by 2-1 goals in their last super-five match of the Green Delta Insurance Metropolis Premier Division Hockey League, reports UNB.

The match was held at Maulana Bhashani National Stadium in the city on Tuesday, making the title-race exciting.

After the match, Dhanmondi outfit went down in the title race after losing both of their vital matches against Mohammedan SC and Mariner Young's in the league phase.

Earlier in the day's first match, Mohammedan SC earned an emphatic 6-0 goals victory against Sonali Bank Club in another super-five encounter at the same venue. They needed just a draw against holders Mariner Young's Club tomorrow (Thursday) to clinch the league crown. With the day's feat, Dhaka Mohammedan SC not only took the joint lead in the league table securing 39 points from 14 matches, but also returned to the winning run after conceding 2-3 goals defeat against Dhaka Abahani Limited.

Club Cup champions Dhaka Abahani Ltd also secured 39 points from all 15 matches to stay in the title race. Holders Dhaka Mariner Young's Club with 36 points from 14 matches needed an outright victory against Mohammedan to stay in the race.

In the day's first match, national forward Rasel Mahmud Jimi made a hat-trick scoring three field goals in the 42nd, 55th and 67th minutes after Indian Gurjinder Singh struck twice in the 7th and 16th minutes. Rabbi Salehin netted one in the 28th minute for the traditional black and white team.

In the day's 2nd match, Dhaka Abahani Limited upset Dhaka Mariner Young's Club by 2-1 goals at the same venue. Farhad Ahmed Setul put Mariner Young's Club ahead in the 33rd minute from a penalty corner (1-0). Roman Sarker restored the parity for Abahani in the 44th minute by a field goal (1-1).