Malaysia unbeaten champions
Bangladesh finish fifth
Sports Reporter
Malaysia justified their ranks in world hockey when they battled past their Chinese counterparts by 7-5 goals in penalty shootout in the gripping final of the 2017 Men World Hockey League Round-2 at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium in the capital yesterday.
The winners came from behind to restore the parity 2-2 in the fourth period. Then their players showcased their enormous grits and character in the penalty shootout as they converted their every turn perfectly (five in five). Meng Dihao of China made difference while he failed to score after three successful finish by E Liguang, Ao Suohu and Guo Zixiang.
The decisive battle between the 13th-ranked Malaysia and 18th-ranked China was opened with attack and counterattack. It is Malaysia, who realised matchs first penalty corner in the initial second minute but were deprived of by Chinese shot-stopper Cheng Ming, who prevented their opponent players for the 45-minutes.
China therefore earned two consecutive penalty corners, first of which though missed but they converted the second by DU Talake on the dying minute of the first period. Malaysia desperately attempted to restore the parity and produced another two chances but first effort by Jalil Marhan went wide and the second was defended by Chinese custodian.
At this time, Saari Fitri showed aggressive attitude what could not avert the umpire E Wenjus attention and warned Fitri by showing green card.
After spoiling Malaysias second penalty corner, China increased their advantage double with a field goal during counterattack when SU Jun received a pass from E Wenhui following AO Yangs long pass from the mid-field (2-0).
This time it was deemed that it is impossible for Malaysia to come back in the race because of the well-furnished Chinese defence wall and their outstanding shot-keeper when they missed to convert penalty stroke following the failure of the back-to-back penalty corners on the 24th minute.
Since then, the 13th-ranked team ruined six penalty corner chances spoil before and after the breather. Malaysia this time bounced back heavily in the competition. They aborted Chineses attempt to stretch the advantage through penalty corners alongside leveled the advantage 2-2 when they converted their eleventh and twelfth penalty corner on the trot. Saabah Shahril, the highest scorer of Malaysia, made no mistake to rifle home his seventh World Hockey League goal on the 46th minute. Jazlan Najmi made the last goal to restore the parity five minutes before the final whistle.
On the other hand, Bangladesh placed fifth thrashing Ghana by 7-6 goals in the fifth-place deciding match at the same venue. Skipper Rasel Mahmud Jimmys dying minutes goal equalised the margin 3-3 in the regulation period. Then the home side scored 4-3 in the penalty shootout to win the match.
Egypt trounced Oman by 5-1 goals to become third, while Sri Lanka trumped Fiji by 5-3 goals to place seventh in the meet.
Chinas DU Talake was named the best player of the tournament, Bangladesh Arshad Hossain was adjudged the best uprising player award. Botsio Johnny of Ghana was the highest scorer, who scored 13 goals with credible a hattrick.
Finance minister MA Muhith as the chief guest distributed the prizes amongst the winners. Air Chief Marshal and Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) president Abu Esrar, tournament committee convener vice president Khaja Rahmatullah and BHF vice president Shafiullah Al Munir, among other federation officials were also present on the concluding ceremony.
