The Bangladesh Under-18 women’s hockey team earned a historic bronze medal in their debut appearance at the U-18 Women’s Asia Cup 2025, held in Dazhou, China.
In the third-place decider Sunday, Bangladesh outclassed Kazakhstan with a commanding 6-2 victory.
Irin Akter Riya delivered a standout performance, netting a hat-trick and earning the Player of the Match award.
Kazakhstan took an early lead in the ninth minute from a penalty corner converted by Zhansaya Amangeldi.
However, Irin responded in spectacular fashion, scoring twice from penalty strokes in the 12th and 18th minutes before completing her treble with a field goal just two minutes later.
Sharika Rimon extended the lead by converting a penalty corner in the 35th minute, followed by Kona Akter’s goal in the 50th minute.
Riyasha Rishi added the sixth goal from another penalty corner in the final quarter.
A late goal by Kazakhstan’s Zhanar Bektemisova, just two minutes before the final whistle, only reduced the margin.
Bangladesh had earlier drawn 2-2 against Kazakhstan in the top-four pool match Friday.
Under the guidance of head coach Mohammad Zahid Hossain, the team defeated Hong Kong (3-0) and Uzbekistan (3-0), but suffered heavy defeats against finalists Japan (11-0) and China (9-0) to secure a spot in the bronze medal match.
Japan went on to edge China 1-0 in the final to clinch the women’s title.
In contrast, the Bangladesh U-18 men’s team narrowly missed out on a podium finish.
They lost their third-place match 5-2 to Malaysia and finished fourth.
Japan also secured the men’s title, defeating Pakistan 3-0 in the final.
