Hong Kong dent hosts’ hopes

Bangladesh’s hopes of qualifying for the Asian Games hockey finals took a severe dent when they stumbled to a 2-2 draw against Hong Kong in the qualifiers at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium on Wednesday.
Bangladesh had defeated Hong Kong 2-0 in the previous edition of the Asian Games Qualifiers in Dhaka back in 2006 but this time they only managed to draw after trailing 1-2 until the 54th minute.
The hosts, who suffered a shock 7-5 defeat against Chinese Taipei in the previous match, failed to play as a total unit for the second consecutive time with the defence arriving as the major weakness. German coach Rach Gerhard Peter’s decision to play inexperienced Rasel was proved wrong as the young goalkeeper failed to cope up with the pressure. The forward line also failed to live up to the expectations wasting at least three sure chances.
Moreover, Bangladesh’s strategy of conserving energy with a go-slow policy did not prove successful.
Hong Kong, who have players of Pakistani, Indian and English origin, played as per their plan of jamming the danger zone with six or seven players and initiating swift counter-attacks with Asghar Ali leading the way.
Bangladesh took the lead though Krishna Kumar in the 16th minute as the agile forward was in the right position to deflect home a reverse hit from Pushkor Khisha Mimo.
Hong Kong keeper Hong Wang Howard, who displayed an impressive form throughout the match, denied Bangladesh’s drag and flick specialist Chayan in the 19th minute gloving away the ball to safety.
Christopher James restored parity in the 30th minute after Arif Ali’s hit was padded by Rasel but the rebound fell in front of unmarked Englishman who just had to push the ball home.
Rasel’s rash tackle on Asghar Ali in the 37th minute resulted in a penalty stroke but Swalikh sent the ball well over the crossbar much to the relief of the Bangladesh tent.
However, Arif Ali put his team ahead in the 47th from a penalty corner with Bangladesh defenders astonishingly standing still.
Jimmy let his team down in the 55th minute as he hit straight at Hong Kong keeper Howard from the penalty spot, awarded after Mimo was fouled inside the D-box.
However, Habul saved the hosts from a humiliating defeat in the 55th minute when Quamruzzaman Rana’s fierce hit deflected off a Hong Kong defender’s stick and Habul kept his cool to slot the ball in.

Courtesy of NewAge