Monarch Padma exact revenge on Acme Chattogram

Monarch Padma exacted revenge on Acme Chattogram with an exciting 4-3 win in the Hockey Champions Trophy at the Maulna Bhasani Hockey Stadium on Monday.

Padma, co-owned by cricketer Shakib Al Hasan, had suffered a massive 1-7 defeat to Acme in the tournament opener. They showed much improvement to bounce back from that defeat  

Padma, with equal six points from six matches as Walton Dhaka, had been struggling in their race to clinch a top-four spot in order to qualify for the semifinals and eliminator round. Acme Chattogram (13 points from seven matches), Metro Express Barishal (12 points from six matches) and Rupayan City Cumilla (13 points from six matches) are in better positions in the six-team franchise-based hockey league. 

However, today's win bettered Padma's chances of qualifying to the next round with still three matches left.

Padma took an eight-minute lead through a strike from national forward Rasel Mahmud Jimmy. But Acme made a strong comeback, scoring two goals in a span of just three minutes in the second half. German Peer Hinrichs levelled the margin in the 33rd minute before Indian Devindar Walmiki gave the port-city outfit a lead in the 36th minute.

Padma, a side with no shortage of experienced players, showed their character to restore the lead through a brace from Indian Saif Khan in the 41st and 44th minutes. However, that lead lasted only two minutes as Devindar scored the equaliser for Chattogram again.

It looked like the match was heading towards a draw, but Japanese Miya Tanimitsu converted a penalty corner just one minute before the final whistle to give Padma their third victory in seven matches.

Earlier in the day, Saif Power Group Khulna beat Metro Express Cumilla 4-3. It was Saif's second victory in seven games.