Bangladesh qualified for the second round of the Hockey World League by emerging unbeaten champions in Round 1 which concluded in Singapore yesterday. The Red and Green defeated Thailand 6-1 in their last match to maintain their 100 percent record in the tournament. Bangladesh had earlier beaten Hong Kong by the same margin in their first match before overcoming hosts Singapore 4-2.
Bangladesh took the lead in the tenth minute through a field goal from Russel Mahmud Jimmy before Krishno Kumar made it 2-0 a minute later. The third goal came in the 24th minute from Moinul Islam Koushik as Bangladesh went into the breather with a 3-0 lead.
Jimmy added another in the 44th minute from a penalty corner, the only goal coming from a set-piece in the match. Sarowar Hossain made it 5-0 in the 52nd minute before Thailand pulled one back a minute before the end. But Krishno Kumar scored again on the stroke of the final whistle to ensure a convincing 6-1 win.
Jimmy has been the key for Bangladesh throughout the tournament; he finished the event with five goals while goalkeeper Zahid Hossain made crucial saves when it mattered most.
The best player award for the tournament went to Singpore’s Saifulnizam Md Seftu and the best goalkeeper was Thailand’s Authachai Soh-Tree.
The tournament victory means that Bangladesh will move onto the Hockey World League Round 2. The Round 2 will be held in 2013 where 16 qualifiers from nine groups will be joined by the 9-16th ranked teams in the world for further progress.
-With The Daily Star input
