DHAKA, Dec 26, 2024 (BSS)- Ace forward Rakibul Hasan Rocky's brilliant hat-trick guided Bangladesh Air Force to the semi-finals of Paragon Group Victory Day Hockey in a match held at Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium on Thursday.

The Air Force earlier notched a superb 6-3 victory against Bangladesh Army to finish at top of the group B. Hockey Players Welfare Unity also secured last four spot from the group beating Bangladesh Army in goal difference. All the three teams of the group finished on three points each but goal difference's, Air Force (+2), Hockey Players Welfare Unity (0) and Bangladesh Army (-2) decided the fate.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Navy also advanced to the semi-final as the champions of group A with a 9-1 victory over Bangladesh Police, riding on Ashraful's magnificent hat-trick. Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Prothistan the eventual runners up of the group also secured a last four spot.

The Air Force started with a bang with Sohanur Rahman Sobuj scoring off the first two penalty corners in the opening two minutes. Army replied with a goal of Sagor Hossain in the 8th minute and Mamun Miah equalized with a field goal in the 17th minute. 

But Rocky's double strike within three minutes made all the difference. After scoring the third in the 22nd he showed his class in the 24th minute with a superb solo effort strike. He completed his hat-trick with the sixth and last goal of the match in the 58th minute. Obaidul Hasan Joy netted the other goal for the victors.

Manoj Babu was the third goal scorer for Army in the 53rd minute.

Bangladesh Navy will play against Hockey players Welfare Unity in the first semi-final Saturday at 12:30 pm while Bangladesh Air force faces off BKSP in the second semi-final on the same day at 2:30 pm.