Hockey World League Round 2: Penalty corners a concern as Bangladesh face Oman

This is Bangladesh's last group stage match. The winner of Tuesday's tie will finish as the runners-up side from Pool A. Favourite Malaysia have already confirmed themselves as group champion. Oman are familiar opposition for the men in red and green. The middle eastern nation are one place above Bangladesh in the world ranking but the latter have never lost to the former at home. Performance of both the sides so far in the tournament has been pretty similar. Bangladesh lost to Malaysia 3-0 in the opening game while Oman conceded a 6-1 loss against the same side. Bangladesh then beat Fiji 5-1 while it was easier for Oman against the same opponent as they thrashed them 7-0. What Bangladesh should be careful about and at the same time need to concentrate on is improving their penalty corners. They earned a total of 15 penalty corners in the last two matches but converted only three of them. Accuracy and perfection of three drag-and-flick specialists in the team - experienced campaigner Mamunur Rahman Chayan, youngster Ashraful Islam and Khorshedur Rahman - could prove to be vital in Tuesday's match. Bangladesh lost to Oman in the penalty shoot-out in the Hockey World League Round 1 two years ago. Bangladesh also conceded a 3-2 defeat against Oman in the Incheon Asian Games three years ago. German Oliver Kurtz was the coach of Oman in both the aforementioned matches. He is now the head coach of Bangladesh. He said he would utilise all his experience in order to get the better of his previous employers. If Bangladesh do win against Oman, they might face formidable opponent China in the quarter-finals, starting from this Thursday.