Abahani off to a flyer
Sports Reporter
Defending champions Abahani Krira Chakra made a solid start in the 'Super Five' phase of the Green Delta Premier Division Hockey League when they handed Usha Krira Chakra a 4-1 defeat in the first match at the Maulana Bhasani National Stadium yesterday.With the comfortable win, the league leaders not only extended their tally to 28 points from ten matches but also got back on track after their 2-2 draw against bitter rivals Mohammedan Sporting Club on Wednesday. Indian Amor Ayamma with two field goals in each half helped the popular sky-blues to an easy victory against Usha. When the teams in the first round Usha went down 4-2. Besides, Shahidullah Titoo and Ashraful Islam Shishu netted one each for Abahani while Indian Mobinur Rahman scored for the losers. Abahani took a 2-0 at the end of the first half but they spoiled half dozen chances before that. The celebrated Dhanmondi outfit opened their account when Amor swept the ball home after Zahidul Islam Rajan set up a good pass for the Indian in the fourth minute. Titoo doubled the margin in the 17th minute with a fine hit after the ball came his way from a goalmouth melee. After the break, Abahani lost their rhythm allowing their opponents to reorganise. However, Amor stunned them with his second goal in the 43rd minute from a combined attack. Mobin reduced the margin for Usha after three minutes when he pounced on a rebounder that came from a penalty-corner. Ashraful Islam Shishu sealed the tally for Abahani with five minutes to go. Shishu made a soft reverse hit from Rajan's angular pass to find the target. Abahani's custodian Russel Khan Bappi was again the hero with a string of saves especially in the second half.
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