Hockey team reach semis
The Bangladesh national hockey team came from a goal down to inflict a massive 5-1 defeat on Hong Kong in their second Pool A match of the Asian Games Qualifiers at the Sultan Qaboos Complex in the Omani capital of Muscat yesterday.
Bangladesh, who came into the match on the back of a 5-0 demolition of Thailand, were stunned 15 minutes into the game when IU Felix Chi Him converted a penalty corner for Hong Kong, a team Bangladesh had defeated 4-2 in the Hockey World League Round-1 in 2016.
The men in red and green were then made to toil hard as they aimed to circumvent the sturdy defense of Hong Kong -- who themselves came into the match after a jaw-dropping 19-1 win against Afghanistan -- in the second quarter before finally leveling the margin in the third quarter through a penalty stroke which was converted by specialist Ashraful Islam in the 33rd minute.
Two minutes later, Ashraful was on the mark again, giving Bangladesh the lead by converting a penalty corner under floodlights.
Bangladesh continued to press after taking the lead and Roman Sarker made it 3-1 in the 47th minute, converting another penalty corner. Captain Rasel Mahmud Jimmy extended the lead to 4-1 in the 58th minute before Milon Hossain wrapped up the win by scoring in the final minute.
A second win from as many matches means Bangladesh confirmed their berth in the semifinal ahead of their match against lightweights Afghanistan in their third and final pool match tomorrow.
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