Bangladesh made a winning return to the eight-nation Hero Asia Cup Hockey 2022, beating Oman by 2-1 goals in their second Pool B match at the GBK Hockey Field in Jakarta on Tuesday. With the day's feat, Bangladesh not only maintained their third slot in Group B intact ahead of Oman, but also took revenge of their 2-6 defeat against the Gulf country in the final of the Asian Games Hockey qualifiers in Bangkok last week.
But, Bangladesh made a frustrating start in the ongoing Asia Cup Hockey, suffering 1-6 goals' defeat against former champions South Korea in their first match with captain Khorshedur Rahman scoring the lone goal for Bangladesh.
In the day's match, Ashraful Islam put Bangladesh ahead in the sixth minute of the first quarter from a penalty corner (1-0). Rashad Al Fazari restored the parity for Oman in the very second minute of the second quarter (17th minute) by his lone effort after beating a couple Bangladesh defenders and the custodian to go for the first half (1-1). Rakibul Hasan scored the match-winning goal for Bangladesh in the 40th minute (3rd quarter), also from a penalty corner (2-1).
Bangladesh custodian Biplob Kujur displayed a tremendous performance in the match, foiling a series of Oman attack.
Later, Bangladesh captain Khorshedur Rahman was adjudged the 'Hero man of the match'.
Earlier, Malaysia outplayed Oman by 7-0 goals in a Pool B match last Monday while Japan outplayed hosts Indonesia 9-0 and holders India played 1-1 with arch-rival Pakistan in Pool A matches on the same day (Monday). Earlier, the Bangladesh team was placed in the four-team Pool B with Malaysia, South Korea and Oman while Pool A team included India, Japan, Pakistan and hosts Indonesia.
In the remaining Pool B match, Bangladesh will play a stronger Malaysia on Thursday (May 26) at 1pm (Bangladesh time). Ahead of the Hero Asia Cup Hockey, Bangladesh played two preparatory matches in Jakarta last week. Bangladesh suffered 1-5 goals defeat against holders India in their second preparatory match after beating Indonesia by 2-1 goals in the first match.
Bangladesh qualified for the eight-nation Hero Asia Cup Hockey main event by clinching the nine-nation Men's AHF Cup Hockey title for the fourth consecutive time with all-win record, also held in Jakarta last March. Bangladesh emerged as AHF Cup champions beating Oman by 5-3 goals in the penalty shoot-out as the final match between the two teams was locked in a draw. Bangladesh also beat Oman by 3-2 goals in the AHF Cup group match.
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