Tanimitsu drives Padma to final

Japanese Miya Tanimitsu struck four goals as Monarch Padma came twice from behind to earn a hard-fought 4-3 win over Rupayan City Cumilla in the Qualifiers-2 of the Hockey Champions Trophy (HCT) at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium today to set final of the event against Acme Chattogram.

The final will take place on November 17 after the third-place decider between Rupayan City Cumilla and Metro Express Barishal on the same day.

Coming into the match on the back of a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Chattogram in Qualifier-1, a comparatively better rested Cumilla looked much more energetic against Padma, who took to the field in less than 24 hours after beating Barishal 2-1 in the eliminator match on Tuesday.

Cumilla scored two goals within a span of two minutes when Argentine Joaquin Menini found the back of Padma net with a fierce hit in the 13th minute following a nice link-up play from Milon Hossain. Two minutes later, captain Sohanur Rahman Sabuj doubled the margin by converting a penalty corner.

Padma staged a comeback from the second quarter with Japanese Miya Tanimitsu first converting a penalty in the 17th minute before converting a penalty stroke in the 30th minute to level scores at 2-2.

Miya Tanimitsu reacts during the game today. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Cumilla again restored the lead with a strike from Menini in the 44th minute but Tanimitsu struck again from a penalty corner in the 50th minute to complete his hat-trick for Padma, who had the final laugh when Tanimitsu converted a penalty stroke in the 54th minute.

Cumilla again availed an opportunity to level the margin in the 56th minute but Argentine Menini squandered a glorious opportunity off a penalty stroke and their chance to come back in the match went begging.