Defending champions Dhaka Mariner Youngs Club, riding on a hattrick by Sohanur Rahman Sabuj,  smartly reached the final of the six-team 13th Club Cup Hockey Tournament 2024 eliminating Usha KC by 8-4 goals in the first semifinal at the Moulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium here Thursday afternoon.

The final match will be held on Saturday (March 2)  at 6:pm at the same venue

Sabuj made a hattrick scoring four goals, Moinul Islam Koushik scored two while Mithilesh and captain Fazle Hossain  Rabbi scored one for the Arambagh outfit Mariners Youngs Club.

Pakistani player Mohammad Sharik also scored a hattrick for Usha KC scoring three goals, but failed  to avoid a huge defeat. Arshad Hossain scored the remaining goal for Usha.

In the day's first semifinal, Sabuj opened the floodgate for Mariners in the very 3rd minute from a penalty corner (1-0). Mitilesh doubled the Mariners margin in the 9th minute by a field goal (2-0), 

Sabuj scored his 2nd and the 3rd goal for Mariners in the 27th minute, also from a penalty corner (3-1) while Moinul Islam Koushik widen the Mariners margin in the 32nd minute by a field goal (4-0).

Captain Fazle Hossain Rabbi further sounded the Mariners margin scoring the 5th goal in the 37th minute (5-0) while Sohanur Rahman Sabuj completed his hattrick scoring his 3rd and 6th goal for Mariners converting a penalty stroke in the 43rd minute (6-0).

Taking advantage of the relaxed mood of the Mariners, Usha KC  Pakistani recruit Mohammad Sharik pulled Usha margin back scoring two quick goals in the 45th minute--first from penalty corner and 2nd from penalty stroke (6-2).

Arshad Hossain further reduced the Usha margin scoring a field goal in the 50th minute (6-3).

Sabuj scored his 4th and 7th goal for Mariners in the 55th minute from another penalty corner (7-3)

Koushik finished the Mariners tally scoring the 8th goal,  a field goal, in the 57th minute (8-3) while Mohammad Sharik of Pakistan sealed fate of the match featuring his  hattrick in the 58thinute (8-4).

Earlier, Dhaka Mariner Youngs Club, studded with three Indian players, emerged Group A champions to reach the semifinal with all-win record crushing five times champions Dhaka Mohammedan SC by 5-1 goals in their last group match Tuesday afternoon.

Usha KC reached the semifinals as the runners-up of Group B with one win and one defeat.