Hockey

A brace by veteran striker Rafiqul Islam Kamal helped Usha Krira Chakra record their second consecutive win in the Green Delta Insurance Premier Hockey League when the defending champions brushed aside Sonali Bank 5-1 at the Maulana Bhasani national Hockey Stadium yesterday.

Rajan, Dinar and Hasan scored one goal apiece and although none of Usha's three Pakistani recruits were on the score sheet, the presence of Saqlain, Delwar and Shafqat was very much inspirational.

Ex-national star Kamal -- a goal machine in his heydays -- proved that he has not lost all his touches and opened the account five after minutes from a rebound after Dinar's hit during a penalty corner came off the rival goalkeeper.

Midfielder Rajan gave the old-Dhaka outfit a 2-0 first half lead when he deflected in Mohammed Delwar's long hit from the right flank in the 15th minute.

The Bankers, who lost their opener to Abahani 3-0, fought bravely in the second round game with two Indian and a Pakistani player in the side. But Satinder Singh wasted two chances either side of the break, dashing their hopes to come back. They also failed to capitalise on half a dozen penalty corners.

Pakistan's World Cup captain Mohammed Saqlain then set Dinar to score from a 38-minute penalty corner as Usha put the result beyond their rivals, whose consolation goal came in the 49th minute when Moksed pushed the ball home

after Satinder's effort was partly blocked by custodian Zahid.

Although Usha converted only a couple of their seven penalty corners, they showed superior finishing during combined attacks with the Pakistanis providing the final passes. Kamal flicked in a powerful hit by Delwar in the 58th minute while Hasan sealed the victory when he placed the ball into the back of the net after hard work by

Shafqat Rasool.

Usha, who trounced Bangladesh Sporting Club 8-1 in the league opener, led the table with maximum six points while bankers have yet to collect a point.

Title contenders Abahani and Mohammedan will both be in action today, Abahani taking on Sadharan Bima at 1.30pm and Mohammedan pitted against Azad Sporting at 3pm.