Bangladesh women’s hockey team finished ninth in the Asian Games after edging Singapore 2-1 in a penalty shootout in the ninth-12th place playoff at Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Japan Friday.
The match ended 1-1 in regulation time before Bangladesh held their nerve in the shootout to secure their first victory of the tournament.
Bangladesh made an attacking start and took the lead in the 10th minute through Irin Akter Riya, who scored a field goal to put the Tigresses ahead.
The Bangladesh side maintained their 1-0 advantage until half-time, but Singapore increased the pressure after the break in search of an equaliser.
Bangladesh were reduced to 10 players in the 42nd minute when Lima Akter received a yellow card and was temporarily suspended.
Singapore capitalised on their numerical advantage two minutes later, with Tou Li Min converting a penalty corner in the 44th minute to restore parity.
Neither side managed to find a winner in the remaining minutes, forcing the contest into a penalty shootout.
Bangladesh then prevailed 2-1 in the shootout to seal ninth place, bringing their Asian Games campaign to a close with a victory.
The result also marked a positive end to Bangladesh’s maiden women’s hockey campaign at the continental multi-sport event, following their earlier 3-3 draw against Kazakhstan that earned them their first-ever Asian Games point.
