Air Force secured their maiden major hockey title after beating Navy by 5-4 goals in the final match of Paragon Victory Day Hockey Competition 2024, sponsored by Paragon Group, at the Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium here on Monday.

Rakibul Hasan and Obaidul Hasan Joy put Air Force in the driving seat scoring each within a span of seven minutes of the first quarter (fourth and 11th minutes) (2-0).

Ashraful Islam reduced the margin from a penalty corner for Navy in the 17th minute (2-1) but Mehrab Hasan Samin again extended the lead for Air Force in the 31st minute (3-1).

After six minutes, Navy’s Mainul Islam Koushik and Farhad Ahmed Shitul added one each in the 37th and 47th minutes respectively (3-3).

Rakibul Hasan broke the deadlock for Air Force scoring a brace in the 49th and 57th minutes and put his side on the verge of the victory (5-3).

Navy skipper Rasel Mahmud Jimmy added one goal in the last minute which came of no use except to reduce the gap (5-4).

Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) President Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan distributed the prizes as the chief guest in a prize-giving ceremony after the match.