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Abahani lift title but Sonali win hearts

Sports Reporter
Abahani s u r-vived a second-half scare against spirited Sonali Bank in the exciting final of the Brae Bank Club Cup hockey to regain the title
of the season's curtain-raiser tournament at the Maulana Bhasani National Stadium yesterday.
Mamunur Rahman Chayan, the highest scorer of the meet with eight goals, scripted the popular outfit's 4-3 victory against the bankers by scoring two goals in either half. It was not only clean but also an entertaining final after Abahani's ill-tempered semifinal against their bitter rivals Mohammedan.
It seemed to be a one-sided affair when the Dhanmondi-based club went for the breather with a 3-0 lead but their youthful opponents regrouped in the second-half to make sure that their entry into the final at the cost of another giant Usha Krira Chakra was no fluke.
Rimon Kumar brought Sonali back in the contention when he latched on Sheikh Mohammad Nannu's right-flank pass in the 49th minute to reduce the margin to 3-1 and after four minutes it was Iqbal Nader who silenced the cheering Abahani supporters with the second goal for the bankers.
Iqbal completed a solo run to make it 3-2 but on both occasions, Abahani's defense including goalkeeper Zahid Hossain were found wanting, especially against the brilliant stick-work of Nannu.
Chayan however brought a sigh of relieve for the giants by striking his second goal in the 60th minute by capitalising on a penalty corner. Incredibly, Asaduzzaman Chandan kept up the pressure by making it 4-3 with five minutes left to play.
Abahani kept their nerve to ensure their second title in the competition after 2006. It was however all about Abahani's story in the first half as they took the lead in the very first minute through Rasel Mahmud Jimmy’s powerful hit and doubled the margin after seven minutes when Chayan capitalised from his first penalty corner.
Mazharul Islam scored the third goal from a counterattack.
Abahani skipper Mahbubul Ehsan blamed his boys' lack of fitness behind second-half s poor showing.
"Our struggle in the second-half continued also in the final game as the lack of fitness has been a big issue for us. Most of our players including myself were not fit enough to play the entire match at the same rhythm," said Rana.
"We were also in a relaxed mood after a comfortable lead in the first-half and I must say our opponents took the opportunity brilliantly, " he added.
On the other hand, Sonali Bank captain Ashiquzzaman was pleased despite his team's defeat in the final.
"We are satisfied with our performance. As a young side we played competitive hockey and pushed our strong opponents hard. It's our first final in the tournament and as a result the boys were a little shy which was the reason behind us conceding two early goals," admitted Ashiquzzaman
"But anything could have happen in the second-half as we came back strongly in to test Abahani's defense," he added.
ZahiduJ Islam Rajon of Usha Krira Chakra was adjudged best player of the tournament.