Hockey team's big challenge
The Bangladesh hockey team take on Oman today in their biggest match of the group stage and they will look to improve on the eighth position they achieved four years ago. This time the competition features 12 teams with Malaysia, Pakistan, Thailand and Uzbekistan the other teams in Group B.
A win against Oman, who beat Bangladesh to secure seventh position last time, will likely ensure Gobinathan Krishnamurthy's charges a good chance of bettering their position, given that they get the better of lower-ranked teams like Thailand and Uzbekistan.
“Our target is to finish fifth or sixth. If we lose against Oman, that target will be difficult to achieve. So, we are fully focused on this target,” veteran defender Mamunur Rahman Chayan, who will be taking part in his fifth Asian Games, said.
Bangladesh lost against Oman in the Asia Cup late last year at home, but they have been under continuous preparation under Krishnamurthy. They toured India and South Korea, where they played practice matches as training for these Games.
BAKI MAKES BOW TODAY
There were disappointments elsewhere too as Bangladesh's shooters failed to move into the final round of mixed events at the Jakabaring Shooting Range in Palembang yesterday.
The 10m air rifle mixed team of Syeda Atkiya Hasan and Arnab Sharar finished 13th among 22 teams with a score of 814.9 points, with South Korea securing top position in qualification round with 836.7 points. The 10m air pistol mixed team, featuring Noor Hasan and Adrina Ferdous, finished 19th out of 22 teams, securing 734 points while China topped qualification with 769 points.
However, things are expected to get better today when two-time Commonwealth Games silver medallist Abdullahel Baki makes his bow in 10m air rifle individual event. Risalatul Islam will also compete at the event while Bangladesh will be represented by Zakia Sultana and Sharmin Akter Ratna in women's 10m air rifle event.
KHADIZA ALMOST DEAD LAST
16-year-old swimmer Khadiza Akter Brishti finished 24th among 26 competitors in the 100m breaststroke at the Gelora Bung Karo Aquatic Centre yesterday. The youngster, who is a find of the nationwide talent hunt programme, clocked 1:27.20 minutes, 4.48 seconds slower than her personal best.
“We had a short training camp and when it began there was no water in the pool. Even after that, the pool was not in the best condition, so we had to move to Navy. Even at Navy. We couldn't continue practice twice a day regularly,” Khadiza said.
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