Bangladesh confirmed their berth in the final round of the Men’s Junior AHF Cup in Malaysia next year following their 7-0 rout of Oman at Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium yesterday.
With this win, Bangladesh sealed their place as one of the two teams from this group and will now join the six teams who have already qualified for the final round. The final round will feature eight teams.
Bangladesh are top of the group standings with nine points from three matches. Oman and Chinese Taipei are tied for second position with six points each. Sri Lanka are fourth with three points while bottom-side Thailand have completed their miserable campaign losing all of their four matches.
The hosts will take on Sri Lanka in their final group match tomorrow and even if the home side suffer a defeat against the islanders they are assured of a place in the final round. Oman and Chinese Taipei will virtually contest a semifinal when they face other in their final group match tomorrow with the winner of the tie progressing to the final round next year.
Coming back to Bangladesh’s match, it was a superb performance from the home side’s stickers, especially in the first half when the lads in Red and Green thumped five goals past the Oman post.
The hosts’ speed and penetration were admirable as Oman looked helpless in the face of continuous onslaughts. In the second half, Oman adopted a defensive approach while Bangladesh appeared content with the lead.
Bangladesh coach Mamunur Rashid expressed his satisfaction following the end of the match. “We worked hard for the last two moths. The federation invested upon us for the result and we did it. However, this is not the end. We are focused on winning the title.”
His German counterpart Oliver Kuttz admired Bangladesh’s display. “Bangladesh were the better team on the day. However, it is their own yard and eight of their players have national team experience. We will try to play better in the next match.”
Bangladesh took the lead in the 10th minute from their very first penalty corner. Khorshedur Rahman drifted a low hit into the board after Milon’s push and skipper and midfielder Sarwar Hossain’s stop. Forward Koushik scored the second in the 20th minute with a brilliant flick from a Belal Hossain free hit.
Forward Milon made it 3-0 in the 23rd minute with a diving hit after Sarwar’s hit deflected off the pad of Oman goalkeeper Ahned Shaganah.
The fourth and fifth were both netted by Khorshedur in the 30th and 35th minute, both coming off penalty corners.
14 minutes into the second half, Sarwar added the sixth capitalising a nice Koushik through pass. Rabbi Salehin completed the rout in the 58th minute.
Meanwhile in the other match of the day, Sri Lanka defeated Thailand 4-2 at the same venue.
