Saif PG Khulna bag first HCT win

Saif Power Group Khulna tasted their first victory in the Hockey Champions Trophy with an exciting 5-3 win over Walton Dhaka at Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium on Sunday.

Khulna, who came into the match on the back of five consecutive defeats, were trailing by two goals in the first half before scoring all five goals in a frenzied second half to notch their maiden victory.

Walton Dhaka took a 2-0 lead with strikes from Rakibul Hasan Rocky and Tayab Ali in the 10th and 12nd minute respectively before Tanzim Ahmed pulled a goal back two minutes into the second half.

Saif Power Group Khulna then scored two more goals to take a 3-2 lead as Sajib Hossain Sifat and Tanzim Ahmed netted in the 36th and 54th minute respectively but Walton Dhaka hit back again when Mainul Islam Kowshik levelled the margin from open play in the 55th minute.

With five minutes remaining, Khulna restored their lead in the 56th minute through a strike from Austrian Martin before Malaysian forward Firdaus Rosdi sealed the victory scoring in the penultimate minute to ensure Walton Dhaka's fourth defeat in six matches.