Sim Sung scores hattrick as Cumilla hand Barishal first defeat

Leaders Metro Express Barishal tasted their first setback in the franchise-based Hockey Champions Trophy when Rupayan City Cumilla came two goals from behind to hand them a 4-3 defeat in an exciting game at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium today.

Rupayan, who arrived into the match on the back of an identical 4-3 win over Monarch Padma in their previous match, suffered a blow in the start of the second quarter following an evenly-fought first-half battle when Fazle Hossain Rabbi cleverly converted a penalty corner from close-range in the 16th minute before Malaysian Akhimullah Eshook doubled the lead for Barishal from an open play in the 40th minute.

Just before the break in the third quarter, Cumilla struck to level the margin with Korean Sim Sung Yeob converting two penalty corners in the 42nd and 44th minute, respectively.

In the fourth and final quarter, Cumilla stunned unbeaten Barishal as Sim Sung completed his hat-trick by converting another penalty corner in the 48th minute. Cumilla, though, could hold the lead for only eight minutes as Akhimulla brought Barishal back in the game with a close-range strike in the 56th minute.

While the match seemingly headed for the first draw of the tournament, it was Cumilla captain Sohanur Rahman Sabuj who converted their fourth penalty corner in the 58th minute to ensure Cumilla's third win in four matches.