Usha Krira Chakra retained the Rajib Ali Gold Cup Hockey title In style, defeating Abahani Krira

Chakra by 2-0 Ln the final at the Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium yesterday.

The hero of Usha's triumph over the popular Dhanmondi outfit was young marksman Moududur Rahman Shuvo. who scored both the goals, once each in either half.

The former BKSP student gave Usha the lead midway through the first session from an imaginative penalty corner. The 20-year-old centre forward then scaled the fate of the match with a close-range drive from a combined attack down the middle - seven minutes after the lemon break

But the score line hardly re-fkated Usha s total dominance aver* Abahani in the antk ll-mactic final, where their Pak-i Istani recruit. Saqlain, missed a penalty stroke in the last quarter of the match.

Umpire Aslam awarded the penalty after Abahani and national defender Mamunur Rashid brought down a menacingly poised Prince in the forbidden zone. But a bearded Saqlain. a member of the Pakistan national team, could only manage to hit the left-side post much to the agony of his teammates.

The audience could not believe when Saqlain stepped up to take the penalty instead of Shuvo. for whom a treble and that too against Abahani was beckoning.

Shuvo however had a fair share of chances to win a hat-trick. but he had only to blame himself for missing the mark on a couple of occasions. Besides. Abahani custodian — also denied the powerful reverse shot from the nimble forward few minutes before the penalty stroke.

Still. Shuvo's delightful double earned him the highest scorer in the season's curtain-raiser with 12 goals.

Although Shuvo stole the limelight, it was his BKSP mate Prince who captivated the sparse crowd with brilliant stick work, superb running and imaginative crosses.

The linchpin of every Usha attack. Prince was later adjudged player-of-the-tourna-ment. His authoritative presence in the up front even overshadowed his more illustrious

captain Kamal, who appeared to have lost much of his speed and guile Ln recent past.

Abahani on the other hand were remained behind the ball for most of the proceedings. With the age showing in former national playmaker Mahabub Haroon and their two Pakistani recruits failing to make any impression. Abahani had hardly created any planned move throughout the match. The unimaginative and lackluster Abahani players were seen waiting for their chances to come by.

It did come early in the first half, but veteran striker Alam-gir Alam muffed up the opportunity. With the Usha custodian at his mercy. Alamgir tried the difficult way to go round the keeper instead of taking a first time shot. He eventually ended up sending the ball wide off anybody> reach from an acute angle.

Besides. Abahani,weft; ’also found nervous in converting penalty corners. They got half a dozen short corners against Usha's couple. Interestingly, they came closer to scoring in their fifth attempt but only to be hooked out by Moksed.

Usha, certainly the deserving victors, won a cash award of Taka 20.000 apart from the glittering champions trophy. Abahani. who won the inaugural edition, were richer by Taka 10.000.

Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Mustafizur Rahman. BB gave away prizes among the winners after the final that drew only a few hundred crowds.