The much-interrupted Premier Hockey League match between Usha Krira Chakra and Mohammedan Sporting Club ended in a 3-3 draw but not before further chaos at the Moulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium on Thursday. Both teams locked at 2-2 when the match was stopped on Wednesday after 52 minutes due to bad light. The match resumed at 11:30pm on Thursday and Usha took only few seconds to restore the lead through a penalty corner converted by Pakistani Aleem Belal.
The match was then halted in the 62nd minute for 20 minutes over a decision of Sri Lankan umpire Mohammad Nowshed as the players of the Mohammedan hurled abusive words towards the umpire, who paid no attention to their claim of a penalty corner.
Mohammedan captain Russell Mahmud Jimmy seemed furious as he rushed to the scoreboard and changed the scoreline on it with his own hands.
The officials of the Bangladesh Hockey Federation entered the field, which has become a regular scene in this year’s league, to pacify the badgering Mohammedan players.
After intervention of the officials, Mohammedan agreed to resume the play to be rewarded with the equaliser.
Ironically it was Jimmy who found his skill with stick back to bring the scoreline level again in the 63rd minute with an eye-catching field goal.
With the result, Usha remained on top spot of the points table with 16 points from six matches while Mohammedan earned 14 points from same number of outings to share the second position with Abahani Limited.
Meanwhile, two other matches were held on the same day with Sadharan Bima and Ajax Sporting Club winning their respective games.
Sadharan Bima beat Wari Club 1-0 while Ajax thrashed Railway Sports and Recreation Club by 6-0.
BHF said they will go tough if the hullabaloo continues.
‘Our main intention is to run the league smoothly, that is why we are a bit tolerant, said BHF joint secretary Anvir Adil Khan.
‘But if the situation continues to remain the same we will not have any choice but to take some action. We will not even hesitate to stop the league if necessary.’
-With New Age input
