Hosts Bangladesh made an awful start to the 10th Men’s Asia Cup when they suffered a crushing 0-7 defeat to Pakistan at the Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium on Wednesday.
Pakistan, the three-time Asia Cup champions dominated the whole game to secure a deserving win.
For the winners, Abu Mahmood scored three goals from penalty corners while Shakeel Butt and Muhammad Arslan both scored a brace to outplay the home side.
Bangladesh, who played under the floodlights at their home ground for the first time, failed to prove any improvement in their play as they seemed disorganised from the very first minute
till the end.
Moreover, Bangladesh coach Mahbub Harun had to field maximum 16 players out of slotted 18-member squad.
Following a suspension of Asian Hockey Federation, Bangladesh had to drop Shohanur Rahman Sobuj from the 18-member squad while mid-fielder Roman Sarker was not allowed to play most of the time because he forgot to bring his jersey.
Harun fielded Roman in the last quarter after the team management brought his jersey from team hotel.
Pakistan were in attacking mode from the first minute of the match and created a series of attacks but Bangladesh defence appeared strong to keep the first quarter goalless.
However, Pakistan took the lead from their second penalty corner with Abu Mahmood converting it in the 18th minute.
Bangladesh could level the thing in the 28th minute. Puskar Khisa Mimo provided a neat through pass to Jimmy from a counter attack and Bangladesh captain darted into the striking circle before making a clever flick that hit the side post.
Pakistan doubled the lead in the 33rd minute when Shakeel Butt converted from the spot after Bangladesh defender Khorshedur Rahman fouled down a Pakistani attacker inside the striking circle.
Pakistan made it 3-0 moments later when Muhammad Arslan flicked home following a reverse hit of Shan Ali before Abu Mahmood scoring the fourth goal for Pakistan from the sixth penalty corner of the team eight minutes later.
Shakeel bagged his second one with a solo effort in the 47th minute. Receiving a cut -back from Umar Muhammad, Shakeel entered into the striking circle and dodged past advancing keeper Ashim Gop before calmly pushing the ball into an empty net.
Abu Mahmood scored his third to make it 6-0 by converting another penalty corner in the 50th minute.
Arslan Muhammad completed the rout in the last minute of the stipulated time.
Bangladesh will face India in their second match on Friday.
India v Japan
Earlier, two time champions, India made a winning start when they thrashed Japan 5-1 in the opening match of the tournament.
Harmanpreet Singh scored a brace from penalty corner while Sunil Sowmarpet, Lalit Upadhyay and Ramandeep Singh scored a goal apiece to help India secure a comfortable win.
Kenji Kitazato pulled one goal back for Japan.
India took the lead in the third minute of the match when Sunil made a nice finish but the lead lasted only for one minute as Kenji leveled the margin to keep the first quarter 1-1.
However, India restored their lead in the 22nd minute through a field goal by Lalit while Ramandeep made it 3-1 with another field goal in the 33rd minute.
Harmanpreet, the penalty corner specialist made no mistake to score from the last two PC attempts in the 35th and 48th minutes after wasting three chances.
RESULTs
Pakistan 7 (Abu Mahmood 18, 41, 50, Shakeel Butt 33, 47, Muhammad Arslan 33, 60) v Bangladesh 0; India 5 (Sunil 3, Lalit 22, Ramandeep 33, Harmanpreet 35, 48) v
Japan 1 (Kenji 4)
-With New Age input
