MSC storm into final

Dhaka Mohammedan SC stormed into the final of the Dhaka Bank Club Cup Hockey Tournament with a facile 8-1 semi-final victory over Sonali Bank at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium on Monday.
It was surprising to see the poor performance of Sonali Bank, who strengthened their squad with two Pakistani recruits in Wasif Siddique and Mohammad Osama.
Sonali Bank never threatened their opponents and conceded three goals before halftime and another five after the break.
Sonali Bank had high expectations that Wasif Siddique, who was the highest goal scorer at the last SA Games hockey, and half-back Osama will lift their game. But both the Pakistanis failed to deliver anything.
They looked tired and out of touch. Moreover, Sonali Bank players failed to score from three of the four penalty corners they got as Wasif could not convert them.
Mohammedan started to spit fire from the very beginning but had to wait for the goal until the 15th minute. Rana’s angular drive landed at the far post from Jimmy’s long pass from the 25-yard line.
Sabbir Hossian Rana doubled the margin in the 28th minute after a combination between Musa and Jimmy enabled the youngster to push the ball in from close range.
Chayan made it 3-0 in the 30th minute hitting the top of the net after Musa’s push and Rana’s perfect stop.
Sonali Bank’s lone chance was wasted in the 19th minute but Prince’s miscued hit from an Osama square pass was too weak to bother Mohammedan keeper Kiron.
Sonali Bank made an all-out effort after the resumption that provided too much free spaces to their opponents.
Chayan added another goal in the 36th minute to dash any hope Sonali had of coming back in the game.
Jimmy blossomed in his playmaking role and his perfect pass was converted into a goal by Rahul who rocked the board with a powerful hit in the 36th minute and repeated the feat in the 60th minute.
Jimmy was instrumental behind Hanif’s goal in the 45th minute and he himself got on the scorers’ list in the 58th minute. Prashanta scored the consolation for the losers two minutes before the final whistle.