Malaysia blank Bangladesh in opener

China, Oman, Egypt win in other matches

Bangladesh national team suffered a setback in their opening match in the second round of the World Hockey League Pool A when they went down to Malaysia by 3-0 yesterday at the Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium.

Malaysia, number 13 in world ranking led the opening half by 2-0 and could add only one in the second half when world ranking 32nd Bangladesh halted a number of goal attempts of Malaysia.
However, Malaysia predictably took the lead in the very fifth minute followed by two successive attacks went in vain.
Jalil Marhan intently flicked a powerful free hit from the danger area despite surrounded by a number of Bangladesh defenders (1-0).
Bangladesh created a good opportunity to equalise the margin just before the first quarter finishing whistle but Roman Sarker failed to hold the ball possession at the edge of the circle receiving a swift counter attack.
Malaysia made their lead double from a penalty corner on 19th minute through Hassan Arzi successfully hit the board with Rahim Razie taken the PC (2-0).
Bangladesh had another chance to score goal when they earned the first penalty corner but the drag-flick specialist Ashraful Islam’s final hit was blocked by Malaysia keeper Othman Hafizuddin after the combination of Rasel Mahmud Jimmy pushed and Sarwar Hossain stopped it.
The hosts boys again went closer to score but Ashraful’s close range effort again denied by Malaysian goalkeeper Hafizuddin.
Bangladesh team who were better in the third quarter with the ball possession and forced the opponents to play under pressure and also earned their second PC but Korshedur failed to take final hit after Jimmy pushed the ball on 33rd minute.
Malaysian after surviving from pressure made the tally 3-0 on 53rd minute with Rosemi Aiman connected a left side cross to seal the victory.
Bangladesh coach, who tried to make an experiment with making the starting line up without experienced Jimy (captain also) Chayan, Kamruzzaman Rana and Krishna Kumar and after conceding goal in the very fifth minute changed the strategy.
However, the German coach Oliver Kurtz in his post match reaction said, “I am happy with the result and as well as with the performance of the players, 3-0 defeat against team like Malaysia is not bad.”
About his starting line up, Kurtz said, I did not consider age but the performance, the young did better in practice.
In the day’s other matches, China overpowered Ghna by 7-3, Oman downed Fiji by 7-0 and Egypt earned a comfortable 6-2 to make winning start.

Malaysia blank Bangladesh in opener

China, Oman, Egypt win in other matches

Bangladesh national team suffered a setback in their opening match in the second round of the World Hockey League Pool A when they went down to Malaysia by 3-0 yesterday at the Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium. Malaysia, number 13 in world ranking led the opening half by 2-0 and could add only one in the second half when world ranking 32nd Bangladesh halted a number of goal attempts of Malaysia. However, Malaysia predictably took the lead in the very fifth minute followed by two successive attacks went in vain. Jalil Marhan intently flicked a powerful free hit from the danger area despite surrounded by a number of Bangladesh defenders (1-0). Bangladesh created a good opportunity to equalise the margin just before the first quarter finishing whistle but Roman Sarker failed to hold the ball possession at the edge of the circle receiving a swift counter attack. Malaysia made their lead double from a penalty corner on 19th minute through Hassan Arzi successfully hit the board with Rahim Razie taken the PC (2-0). Bangladesh had another chance to score goal when they earned the first penalty corner but the drag-flick specialist Ashraful Islams final hit was blocked by Malaysia keeper Othman Hafizuddin after the combination of Rasel Mahmud Jimmy pushed and Sarwar Hossain stopped it. The hosts boys again went closer to score but Ashrafuls close range effort again denied by Malaysian goalkeeper Hafizuddin. Bangladesh team who were better in the third quarter with the ball possession and forced the opponents to play under pressure and also earned their second PC but Korshedur failed to take final hit after Jimmy pushed the ball on 33rd minute. Malaysian after surviving from pressure made the tally 3-0 on 53rd minute with Rosemi Aiman connected a left side cross to seal the victory. Bangladesh coach, who tried to make an experiment with making the starting line up without experienced Jimy (captain also) Chayan, Kamruzzaman Rana and Krishna Kumar and after conceding goal in the very fifth minute changed the strategy. However, the German coach Oliver Kurtz in his post match reaction said, I am happy with the result and as well as with the performance of the players, 3-0 defeat against team like Malaysia is not bad. About his starting line up, Kurtz said, I did not consider age but the performance, the young did better in practice. In the days other matches, China overpowered Ghna by 7-3, Oman downed Fiji by 7-0 and Egypt earned a comfortable 6-2 to make winning start.