Dominant Bangladesh advanced to the semi-finals of the Asian Hockey Federation Cup after beating Iran 6-2 in what was their third consecutive win in Jakarta.
Former BKSP player Ashraful Islam grabbed a hat-trick for the men in red and green at JBK Sports Complex Tuesday, while Khorshedur Rahman, Milon Hossain and Roman Sarkar netted one each.
Iran, ranked 92nd, way behind Bangladesh at 35th, saw Mohammad Ali Salehipor and Navid Taheri Riyad get their names on the scoresheet.
Five of Bangladesh's six goals came from penalty corners.
With their third victory in a row, Bangladesh have confirmed their last four spot from Group B, while Sri Lanka went into the semis from Group A with maximum nine points.
This is also Bangladesh's third win in succession against Iran with their last meeting ending 3-1 in favor of the former in the 2014 Asian Games qualifiers.
Their first clash came in the 1985 Asia Cup where Bangladesh had also been victorious 3-1.
Bangladesh will take on Oman in their last group phase match Thursday.
Bangladesh begin campaign with win over hosts Indonesia
Bangladesh had earlier began their mission with a 7-2 victory over Indonesia at the same venue Friday.
Khorshedur bagged a brace while Roman, Arshad Hossain, Sohanur Rahman, Pushkor Khisa Mimo and Russel Mahmud Jimmy scored one each.
Ardam and Asasi Ahdan netted one apiece for the 51st ranked home team.
One of Bangladesh's goals came from a penalty corner, 10 of which were awarded to the men in red and green.
This was Bangladesh's first international win in three and a half years, their last victory coming against Thailand in the Jakarta Asian Games on August 26 in 2018.
Since then, Bangladesh, favorites in this year's competition after winning its last three editions, didn't play any international match for around 40 months before hosting the Asian Champions Trophy Hockey in December 2021.
After defeats against India, South Korea, Japan and Pakistan at home, Bangladesh finally ended the winless run in Jakarta.
Bangladesh had arrived in Indonesia on the back of a one-month camp at Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishthan under coach Gopinathan Krishnamurthy.
Bangladesh thrash Singapore to pick up second win
The men in red and green registered their second consecutive victory Monday after defeating Singapore 7-0.
Player of the match Sohanur notched a hat-trick while Arshad, Ashraful, Khorshedur and Mimo scored one each.
Sohanur continued from where he had left off in the last edition of the premier league where he top-scored for winners Mariner Youngs with 32 goals.
Bangladesh have now won seven of their eight matches against Singapore, the only time the former weren't victorious was in the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games where the game ended in a draw.
Bangladesh last met Singapore in the 2016 AHF Cup where the former ran out 8-0 winners.
