The second phase of the Green Delta Premier Division hockey league is expected to begin on Monday at the Maulana Bhasani National Stadium.

League committee secretary Habibur Rahman Yousuf told UNB yesterday "We expect the second phase to start on Monday. as scheduled, but the condition of the turf is not yet good for play."

Defending champions Mohammedan SC and title aspirants Abahani finished the first phase jointly leading the league table with 19 points while runners-up Usha KC follow with 15 points.

Two matches will be played on the opening day — Mohammedan vs Azad SC at 2:15 pm and Usha KC vs Farashganj SC at 4 pm.

Abahani will play their first match against, Sadharan Bima on Tuesday at 2:15 pm while Dhaka Mariner Youngs Club will take on Ajax SC at 4 pm in another match.

The three vital matches of the return league — Usha vs Abahani. Abahani vs Mohammedan and Usha vs Mohammedan — will be held on April 14, 19 and 22 respectively.

Meanwhile, two Indian umpires are expected to reach Dhaka on Monday to conduct the important league matches. Of them. Venu Gopal has already confirmed to the Hockey Federation about his availability. Another will be either Maqbool Mohammed Munir or Raja Shekran.

POINTS TABLE

Team W D L Pts

Mohammedan 6 1 0 19

Abahani 6 1 0 19

Usha 5 0 2 15

Mariners 2 2 3 8

Ajax 2 14 7

Farashganj 2 1 4 7

Azad 115 4

S Bima 0 16 1