Dhanraj Pillay ‘ struck tire sudden-death golden goal to help Abahani lift the Cotton Group 9th Shahe-ed Smriti hockey trophy with a 2-1 victory over arch-rivals Mohammedan Sporting in Lhe final al the Moulana Bhasani Stadium yesterday.
The fleet-footbd Indian forward punched in the match-winner in the ninth minute of extra time with the ding-dong battle locked 1-1 after the regulation 70-minute of an absorbingcombat.
Pillay's one-stroke brilliance gave Abahani their fourth title since 'he Introduction of the tourrii. way back in 1973. Abahani also won the meet when it was last held in 1983. making them holders of the title for more than fifteen years.
A regular visitor to Dhaka for the last couple of seasons, India's Pillay could not think of a better way to prove a point against yet another outstanding performer Pakistani Tahir Zaman in what appeared to be a more testing battle within a battle.
While Mohammedan banked on their four-pronged Pakistani recruit. Pillay was the linchpin of a more colourful Abahani line-up that included two Indians and as many Pakistanis. And the ploy of having a mixed bag clicked again in the repeat clash following Aba-hanfs win over Mohammedan by an identical margin in the first round.
Pillay, who scored the match-decider in the previous meeting of the two crowd-pullers, did it again when the black leopard slipped past his marker only to clip a defence slicing cross from Imran Yousuf past a bemused Mohammedan custodian Javed.
The goal only epitomised the class of the dark Bombayite. who needed only a few seconds of wayward approach from his marker Sharafat to find the space to kill off the Mo-
hammedan resilience.
Apart from the last-minute blunder. Mohammedan fought neck-and-neck in a match which was also marked by crowd violence. The match came to a grinding halt twice in the first-half, enforcing a ten-minute lay-off due to brick-batting from rival galleries.
Although the match started on a positive note, the turbulent first-half, marked by foul play arid random flashes of cards, belonged to the unruly crowd.
Abahani took an early initiative with Dhanraj forming a perfect ally with compatriot Sabu Vcrky. playmaker Mahboob I larun and right-in Rubel. Besides. Pakistani Imran, who was instrumental for the second goal, gave Mohammedan a torrid time with his speed and imaginative crosses.
On the other hand, the black and whites focused on Tahir Zaman. Kamran Ashraf. Rana Atif and Mohammad Khalid. Although Tahir lived up to his brilliant self and Khalid with a conspicuous moustache did a good job both in defence and upfront. striker Kamran Ashraf was a pale shadow of his reputation.
After the lemon break. Abahani took the lead in the 51st minute when Indian recruit Sabu Verky blasted the board. Rubel, after receiving the ball from Harun, ran through the right flank and broke the Mori ammedan defence before passing to Sabu. who struck from close range.
Undaunted by the mishap. Mohammedan maintained their positive game and got the reward 14 minutes later when veteran Pakistani Tahir Zaman won t he ball inside the crowded Abahani box. The former Pakistan skipper then moved through the left side before beating Abahani custodian Asir with a superb angular hit.
In the remaining time, both teams played an attacking game but failed to score because of over-caution and the tense situ-
After surviving several dost:
calls from Mohammedan, former Indian captain Dhanraj finally gave Abahani the much-sought-after golden goal in the 9th ’minute of extra time.
"It was good to score the golden goal for Abahani. Last year 1 could not make them champions in the league, so it was a sort of consolation for me." said Dhanraj after the match.
State Minister for Youth and Sports, Obaidul Quader. witnessed the final and distributed prizes among the winners.
Tahir Zaman, who scored seven goals for Mohammedan in the tournament, received the top scorer's award while Abahani midfielder and former national skipper Mahboob 1 larun was named player of the tournament.
ROLL OF HONOURS
Year Champions Runners up 1973 Abahani KC Sonali Bank 1974 Abahani KC Mahut Tull SC 1976 Sonali Bank Abahani KC 1978 Mohammedan SCAbahani KC 1979 Wart Club Abahani KC 1980 Mohammedan SCSonali Bank 1982 Mohammedan SCAbahani KC 1983 Abahani KCBangladesh Arm) 1999 Abahani Mohammedan SC