Hockey team's final act today
Bangladesh's participation in the 18th Asian Games will come to an end today when the hockey team take on four-time champions South Korea in the fifth-sixth position decider.
The match will get underway at 2:00pm Bangladesh time at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium hockey field in Jakarta.
This has been a disappointing campaign for the Bangladesh contingent overall as the country has failed to win even a single medal for the first time since 1982. However, a good performance from the football team, who reached the knockout rounds for the first time, and a best-ever show by the hockey team have come as welcome surprises. The hockey team would ideally like to end their campaign with a respectable show against a powerful South Korean side.
Gobinathan Krishnamurthy's charges will finish, at worst, in sixth position, which will be one place higher than their previous best. But to achieve fifth position, they will have to beat a side they have never beaten before. The men in red and green have only managed one draw against the Koreans, during the 1993 Asia Cup in Hiroshima. On most of the other occasions they have been subject to heavy defeats.
There is a gulf in rankings too. While the four-time Asian Games champions are in 14th position, Bangladesh ranks at a lowly 31st. The last Asian Games fixture between these two sides resulted in a 7-0 win for the Koreans.
However, the men in red and green did force a draw against the Koreans in one of their six practice matches during their Korea tour recently.
Captain Farhad Ahmed Sheetul is optimistic and he wants the team to give their best shot today.
“Korea are a very strong opponent. But we will try our best and play positively. We have an opportunity here and we want to do our best to take that opportunity to finish fifth,” the captain told media yesterday.
Veteran defender Mamunur Rahman Chayan, who has announced his intention of hanging up the sticks after these Games, said he has no regrets. “I am satisfied with my career. I have played in four Asian Games and I have no qualms about ending my career with this game,” Chayan said.
Whatever the scoreline, Bangladesh are ensured a best-ever finish at these Games. They would, though, like to give it a fight to end things well.
Meanwhile, archrivals India and Pakistan will fight for the bronze medal while first-time finalists Japan will take on one-time runners-up Malaysia in the gold medal match, both at the same venue, today.