Bangladesh remained winless at the Hockey Asia Cup after falling 4-2 to tournament debutants Oman at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, Malaysia, on Monday.
The result comes as a blow to 31st-ranked Bangladesh, who had targeted this fixture as an opportunity to come away from the tournament with a victory, and all but eliminates them from semi-final contention. Bangladesh beat Oman 4-1 when the sides last met in February.
Aiman Abdullah Ali Khathiri, whose team’s slim semi-final hopes remain alive with the win, was named the man-of-the-match.
The Omanis took the lead through Hashim Ghanim Ramadan Al Shatri in the 29th minute, accounting for the only goal scored in the first half.
Oman scored after the break from a penalty corner in the 43nd minute through Mohammad Hoobais Al Shar, and Rajab Bhasin Khatar added another goal two minutes later to make it 3-0. 16-year-old Mohammad Roman Sarkar pulled one back for Bangladesh in the 53rd minute, but Khatar struck again from a penalty corner in the 59th to restore the three-goal advantage.
Captain Muhammad Mamunur Rahman Chayan added a consolation goal for Bangladesh from a penalty corner in the 69th minute.
Both teams had started the tournament with massive defeats to the favourites in Pool B. Bangladesh were thumped 9-0 on Sunday by defending champions South Korea after Oman were similarly dispatched 8-0 by India on Saturday. Bangladesh take on India on Wednesday in the last match of the group stage.
-With New Age input
