Oman made an auspicious start in the Islami Bank Asian Games Hockey Qualifying Tournament when they beat Chinese Taipei by a solitary goal in the day’s first match at the Moulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium on Saturday.
After a barren first half, Khalfan of Oman got a pass from his teammate Basim Khatar from the right flank and Khalfan put his team ahead by a forceful hit in the 47th minute of the play.
Earlier, Chen Yuan Fan of Chinese Taipei failed to flick the ball into an open net in the 25th minute.
After two minutes Basim Khatar broke the Taipei defence but his weak shot was cleared from the frontline.
Minister for Finance Abul Maal Abdul Muhith inaugurated the hockey competition by releasing the balloons as the chief guest. President of Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Enamul Bari, Acting Chairman of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited Engineer Mostafa Anwar, General Secretary of BHF Khaja Rahmatullah were present at the time.
Meanwhile, the match between Qatar and Sri Lanka ended in a 1-1 draw at the same venue on the same day.
Aslam Adnan of Qatar put his team ahead in the 25th minute of the play. Ali Sheraj’s power-packed hit rebound off the pad of Ishara Madhushanka and the ball got on Aslam Adnan’s way and Aslam Adnan did not do any mistake to push the ball into the blank net.
Sri Lankan midfielder Sanadaruwan Priyalanka equalized the margin by a reverse hit from the edge of the D-box.
Today Singapore will take on Iran at 2.00 pm while Bangladesh will face Hong Kong China at 4.00 pm at the same venue.
