Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh’s Asian Champions Trophy men’s hockey tournament mission came to an end as the hosts lost to Pakistan by 2-6 goals in their last group match at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium on Sunday.
A total of five teams took part in the first phase of the most prestigious hockey tournament. India, South Korea, Pakistan and Japan moved into the semifinals of the hockey competition. India gained 10 points from four matches, while South Korea bagged six points from as many matches, Pakistan and Japan earned five points each from as many outings. But the ill-fated home side remained with naught playing same number of matches.
Though Pakistan and Japan collected same points, but by virtue of better goal difference, Pakistan avoided favourites India to face them in the semi-final.
Bangladesh got the early lead in the 13th minute of match. Arshad Hossain put his team ahead by a field goal. Bangladesh’s joy went into vapour as Nadim Ahmed of Pakistan leveled the margin 1-1 by a field goal just few minutes after they conceding the goal.
Ezaz of Pakistan made it 2-1 in the 18th minute, Arfaz increased the tally into 3-1 in the 24th minute and Nadim made it 4-1 in the 26th minute of the match.
Razzak of Pakistan made it 5-1 using a penalty corner . Arshad Hossain of Bangladesh reduced the margin by a field goal in the 35th minute.
After two minutes, Ezaz of Pakistan sealed the fate of the match by a field goal.
Tomorrow India will take on Japan in the first semi-final at 3.30pm at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium, while South Korea will face Pakistan in the second semi-final at 6.00pm at the same venue.
The Third-place deciding match will be held at the same venue on December 22. The match begins at 3.30pm.
The winners of the two semi-finals will face each other in the final at the same venue on the same day. The gala final starts at 6.00pm.
