A hat-trick from Russell Mahmud Jimmy made sure that Mohammedan Sporting Club were crowned as the unbeaten champions of Green Delta Dhaka Premier Hockey League after handing Usha Krira Chakra a 3-1 defeat in their last league match on Monday.
Defending champions Mohammedan started the match needing only a draw to secure their fourth premier league title while it was a must win match for Usha in order to earn themselves a play-off match against the black and whites for a shot at the title.
Jimmy netted twice in the first-half and completed his hat-trick in the dying minutes to shatter Usha’s any hope of winning the encounter.
The highest paid striker in the country, Jimmy, was on the score-sheet within four minutes of the game only to see Usha’s Pakistani forward Mohammad Imran equalise in the very next minute through a tough angle from deep left flank.
Big spending side Mohammedan, who have at least nine current national team players in their fold, kept pressurising for the lead and were successful soon after 17 minutes as Jimmy utilised a short pass by his Malaysian team-mate Tazuddin Tanku to put Mohammedan in front again.
Mohammedan was the dominant side in the field with a better ball possession, but Usha also fought neck to neck as the match progressed with attacks and counter attacks before Jimmy finally crushed his opponent players’ enthusiasm, scoring his 19th goal of the league, four minutes from the final whistle.
He penetrated Usha’s danger zone from left and completed his second hat-trick of the season with a strong strike from close range.
Mohammedan’s German coach Gerhard Peter credited all of his charges for the title win while he especially credited his prolific scorers Jimmy and Mamunur Rahman Chayan.
‘We always tried to play collectively rather depending on few players. It is our team effort that brought us the success today (Monday),’ said Peter.
‘But I will obviously thank Chayan and Jimmy
for their special effort. They rescued us in some crucial moments when we were about to suffer a defeat,’ Peter added.
The league came to an end with Mohammedan remaining unbeatable in their 14 matches, 13 wins and a draw, and have 40 points in their tally while Usha finished second with 35 points, one more than third placed Abahani Limited.
-With New Age input
