Dhaka – Bangladesh National Hockey team suffered a 0-5 goal defeat against former World Champions Pakistan in their last Pool B match of the 18th Asian Games Men’s Hockey on Tuesday at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Hockey field in Jakarta.Despite the day’s defeat, Bangladesh finished 3rd in the six-team Pool B securing nine points from five matches with three wins and two defeats and will play the 5th place deciding match on September 1 against the 3rd ranked team of Pool A, probably against Japan.
Muhammad Atiq put Pakistan ahead in the very first minute by a field goal (1-0). Mubashar Ali struck twice in the 8th and 24th minutes, both from penalty corners (3-0).
Ali Shan further sounded the Pakistani margin scoring the 4th goal in the 36th minute (4-0) while Muhammad Atiq sealed the fate of the match scoring his 2nd goal in the 48th minute, also from a penalty corner (5-0).
In the day’s other Pool B matches, Malaysia outplayed Oman by 7-0 goals while Thailand beat Kazakhstan by 3-2 goals at the same venue.
In Pool A matches, holders India crushed Sri Lanka by 20-0 goals while hosts Indonesia defeated Hong Kong by 3-2 goals at the same venue.
By virtue of the day’s well-merited victory, Pakistan clinched the Pool B title with all-win record securing full 15 points from five outings while Malaysia finished Pool B runners-up collecting 12 points from five matches to reach the semifinals.
Bangladesh’s main contender Oman were placed 4th in the group with six points from five outingsIn the day’s Pool A matches, India emerged group champions with all-win record securing full 15 points from five engagements, South Korea and Japan are battling for the runners-up spot of Pool ATuesday evening with 9 points each from four group encounters. The winners of the match will qualify for the semifinals while the loser will play the 5th place-deciding match on September 1.
Earlier, Bangladesh Hockey team achieved their initial target of finishing 6th in the 12-team 18th Asian Games Men’s Hockey beating Thailand by 3-1 goals in their 4th Pool B match at the same venue last Sunday.
Bangladesh also got an opportunity to play directly in the final round of the Asian Games and Asia Cup Hockey from the next time avoiding qualifying round.UNB
