Team spirit, determination and a never say die approach steered Bangladesh to the title of the Islami Bank Asian Games Qualifiers with a 6-1 win over Oman in the 1st place decider at the Maulana Bhashani National Stadium yesterday.
It was also a big revenge for Bangladesh after the 2-4 loss against the same team in the Asia Cup Hockey last year. Bangladesh got stronger after two hard matches against Iran and Sri Lanka and the best was in display when it mattered most, it was prestige issue for Bangladesh and the young team capped the duty in style.
With the win Bangladesh clinched the top position, Oman was second and Sri Lanka, Singapore, Iran and Chinese Taipei finished third, fourth, fifth and sixth respectively. All these six teams will join Korea, India, Pakistan, China, Japan and Malaysia in the Asian Games Hockey at Incheon, Korea in September next.
The performance is admirable in any criteria as Bangladesh team comprised five players who made their debut in the international arena. In the field, Mamunur Rahman Chayan, the skipper led the way scoring the opener, saved two sure goals from the goal line, custodian Ashim Gope brilliantly saved a couple of Omani penalty corners and the team absorbed the pressure to stay alive.
Bangladesh took the lead in the 13th minute through a penalty corner of their drag and flick specialist Mamunur Rahmam Chayan. Omam scored the equalizer in the 24th minute when forward Rajab Basim Khatar went through the Bangladesh defence and rocked the board with a fierce hit. Bangladesh again went ahead in the 29th minute off quick counter attack when Sheikh Md. Nannu danced down the left flank and provided a square pass to Hasan Jubaer Niloy who dived forward to send the ball into the post. The lead was extended to 3-1 in the 45th minute when Pushkor Khisha Mimo dashed down through the midfield and scored the third goal. Niloy made it 4-1 after Pushkor Khisha Mimo set him free in the 65th minute and Niloy scored his second. Another two goals were scored in the last two minutes as Mimo scored his second one in the 69th minute and Sheikh Md. Nannu netted the 6th goal in the last minute of the match. Pushkor Khisha Mimo was adjudged as the man of the match.
In the other matches of the day Sri Lanka defeated Singapore 3-2 in the 3rd- 4th position decider, Iran triumphed by 2-1 goals against Chinese Taipei in the 5th-6th decider and Qatar beat Hong Kong China 4-2 in the 7th-8th place decider.
