Bangladesh hockey fell to a new low as the national team unexpectedly fell to a 2-4 defeat to Oman in their second match at the Asia Cup Hockey in Ipoh, Malaysia yesterday.
It was a substandard showing by the players. Their body language displayed a lack of fighting spirit, their control of the ball was poor and overall, the team was disorganised. Whatever it was the team was doing during the preparatory two months of training under Pakistani head coach Naveed Alam was not to be seen. The players were slow and often clumsy as the 31st ranked Bangladesh played without vigour against the 36th ranked Oman.
Bangladesh retained the title of 4th AHF (Asian Hockey Federation) Cup with a convincing 6-3 win over Oman in Bangkok in April 2012. The success story was continued in the 4-1 victory in the Men’s Hockey World League Round- 2 in New Delhi in February this year. The victory was attained after Bangladesh’s historical 3-2 triumph over China.
While hockey lovers expecting a continuation of the good form, Bangladesh fumbled to the shameful defeat yesterday. In the group phase,the debuting Oman was expected to be the one team that Bangladesh could dominate, but in the event, exactly the opposite happened.
In an evenly contested first half, both sides vied for control in midfield but were unable to find a clear break into the opposition’s circle. Six minutes before half-time, however, Hashim Ghanim Ramadhan Al Shatri put Oman ahead.
The midfielder was found unmarked at the top of the circle and he made no mistake in sending the ball into the net past onrushing Bangladeshi goalkeeper Zahid Hossain.
Oman wasted little time in the second half and struck twice to take a 3-0 lead within 10 minutes of play resuming. Mohammad Hoobais Al Shar sent a powerful drag flick into the roof of the net from Oman’s first penalty corner of the game in the 42nd minute. Three minutes later, Rajab Basim Khatar extended added another goal.
Bangladesh managed to pull a goal back in the 53rd minute courtesy of 16-year-old Mohammad Roman Sarkar, but Oman warded off any revival hopes their opponents might have had byrestoring their three goal lead in the 58th minute through Rajab Basim.
Bangladesh struck a consolation goal in the 69th minute when skipper Mamunur Raham Chayan dragged a penalty corner into the roof of the net, but it was too little, too late by then.
Bangladesh play India in their last group match on Wednesday.
