In the day’s first match, Shadharan Bima beat Victoria Sporting Club 8-3.

Mariners, who had thrashed Usha 8-0 in the Club Cup semifinals, seized the lead in the opening minute, courtesy of a penalty conversion by Shohanur Rahman Sabuj.

The loud chants of ‘Abahani, Abahani,’ from fans brought life back to the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium on Thursday evening as the popular Dhanmondi-based outfit, in a bid to regain the prestigious Premier Hockey League title, were the first to turn up for the inter-club players’ transfer.

Although the introduction of franchise-based Hockey Champions Trophy (HCT) last November presented a new ray of hope to revive the sport in the country, the Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) officials have not yet chalked out a plan regarding when the next edition of the Premier Hockey League (PHL) will take place.