Abahani Limited moved to the top of the points table with a hard-fought 4-3 win over Sonali Bank Sports and Recreation Club in their Premier Hockey League match at the Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium on Friday. With the win, Abahani took their tally to 17 points from seven matches, one ahead of Usha Krira Chakra, who nevertheless have a game in hand.Sonali Bank took a surprising lead in the very first minute with a nice stick-work by midfielder Taher Ali.
Abahani levelled the margin in the 20th minute when their Pakistani forward Towshik Arshad converted a penalty corner and Rumman Sarker put them ahead in the 27th minute with a field goal.
Toshik Ahmed took only three minutes to make the things level for Sonali Bank before the break.
However, Abahani scored two more goals in the space of few seconds 15 minutes into the second half when Pakistani playmaker Shakil Abbasi and his compatriot Mohammad Irfan found the back of the net.
Pakistani Ehsan Ullah Khan reduced the margin for Sonali Bank in the 66th minute converting a penalty corner.
In the other match of the day, Mariner Young’s Club thrashed Azad Sporting Club 8-0 at the same venue.
Arshad Hossain was the outstanding performer for Mariner by scoring four goals while Mamunur Rahman Chayan, Sohanur Rahman, Razu Ahmed and Moinul Islam Kowshik scored one goal each.
With the win, Mariners have earned 16 points from seven matches while Azad remained in the 10th position of the table with four points from same number of outings.
-With New Age input
