UNB, Dhaka :
Coming from behind, Bangladesh smartly reached the final of the Asian Games Men’s Hockey Qualifier outplaying hosts Thailand by 4-1 goal in the 2nd semifinal at the Queen Sirkit Commemorative Stadium in Thai capital Bangkok on Saturday afternoon.
Bangladesh will play the final on Sunday (May 15) against their old rivals Oman, which eliminated Indonesia by 2-0 goal in the first semifinal, also on Saturday.
In the day’s 2nd semis, Rungniyom Chanachol scored first for Thailand in the 9th minute (first quarter) by a field goal (1-0) while Roman Sarkar leveled the margin for Bangladesh in the 21st minute (2nd quarter) also from a field goal (1-1)
Ashraful Islam scored quick goals for Bangladesh from penalty corners in the 28th (2nd quarter) and 34th minutes (3rd quarter) respectively (3-1).
Rakibul Hasan Rocky, who scored the match-winner against Singapore in the group match on Thursday, sealed the fate of the match scoring the 4th, a field goal, for Bangladesh in the 46th minute (4th quarter).
Earlier, Bangladesh emerged Pool B champions with all-win record to reach the semifinal of the Asian Games Men’s Hockey Qualifier after beating Indonesia and Sri Lanka by 3-1 goal each and Singapore by 1-0 goal in three group matches.
Bangladesh also qualified for the Asian Games Hockey’2022 main battle after winning the first two Pool B matches against Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
On completion of the Asian Games qualifier, Bangladesh team led by new captain Khorshedur Rahman will travel to Indonesia directly from Thailand to compete in the Men’s Asia Cup Hockey to be held in Jakarta from May 23 to June 1.
In the eight- nation Hero Men’s Asia Cup Hockey, Bangladesh team also been placed in Pool B with Malaysia, Korea and Oman.
Bangladesh will face Korea on May 23, Oman on May 24 and Malaysia on May 26.
Earlier, Bangladesh qualified for the Hero Men’s Asia Cup Hockey by clinching the Men’s AHF Cup Hockey title for the fourth consecutive times in Jakarta in last March.
