Bangladesh seal final with 4-1 win

Bangladesh national hockey team confirmed their spot in the final of the Asian Games Qualifier by beating Thailand 4-1 in the second semi-final at the Queen Sirikit Commemorative Stadium in Thailand’s capital Bangkok on Saturday.

Taking their unbeaten run to 10 international games, Bangladesh will fight it out against Oman in the final today.

Oman secured their spot in the final by beating Indonesia 2-0 in the first semi-final earlier on Saturday.

In their match against Thailand, Bangladesh were pinned back by Rungniyom Chanchol’s field goal in the ninth minute but managed to level the game in the second quarter, courtesy of a field goal by Roman Sarker.

Bangladesh then took control of the match as they created a two-goal cushion when defender Ashraful Islam scored a brace in quick succession to take the game away from Thailand. He scored in the 28th and 34th minute from the penalty spot to put Bangladesh 3-1 up.

The match was sealed when Rakibul Hasan scored the fourth goal in the 46th minute to take tournament favourites Bangladesh through to the finals.

Bangladesh will face a familiar opponent, Oman, in the final as both teams will be facing each other in back-to-back finals.

Bangladesh and Oman faced off in the Asian Hockey Federation Cup in March when Bangladesh came out victorious in the tie-breaker after a 1-1 draw.

After the conclusion of this tournament, the Bangladesh team will travel to Indonesia to take on their next assignment as they will compete in the Men’s Asia Cup Hockey, which will start on May 23.

Bangladesh qualified for the Men’s Asia Cup Hockey by winning the Men’s AHF Cup for the fourth successive occasion earlier this year.