Sports Reporter:
Amirul Islam of Bangladesh Junior Hockey team is called ‘Hamza of Bangladesh’s Hockey’. Amirul scored 18 goals playing six matches in FIH Men’s Youth World Cup Hockey. The gala hockey tournament was held in Madurai of India. Hamza Choudhury, who is a England-born Bangladesh origin footballer showed a spectacular performance in AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. Hamza powered his Bangladesh team to defeat stronger India 1-0 in their home match. After 12 years, Bangladesh beat India in any international football meet. Hamza, who has played Leicestershire FC in English Premier League, played for Bangladesh and his performance regained the popularity of Bangladesh’s football. Thus, Hamza Choudhury is a legend of Bangladesh’s football. Amirul’s marvelous performance is remarkable for the Bangladesh Youth Hockey team. Thus, Amirul is called ‘Hamza of Bangladesh’s Hockey’.
Bangladesh Junior Hockey team was billed in Pool-F with France, Australia and South Korea. Bangladesh suffered a 3-5 goals defeat to Australia on November 29. But Amirul fought back alone and hit a hat-trick. Bangladesh made a 3-3 goals draw with South Korea on November 30. Amirul played the key role to hold South Korea. Amirul hit a hat-trick against South Korea and powered his team to make a draw with South Korea.
Bangladesh tasted a 2-3 goals defeat to France on December 2. Amirul scored a goal for his team.
Later, Bangladesh blanked Oman 13 goals to nil on December 4. Amirul scored five goals with a hat-trick.
Bangladesh took a sweet revenge as they defeated South Korea by five goals to 4 on December 6. Amirul hit a hat-trick against South Korea to earn the much-waited victory.
Bangladesh finished 17th after defeating Austria by 5-3 goals in a place-deciding match on December 8. Amirul again scored a hat-trick. By virtue of yesterday’s victory, Bangladesh for the first time beat a European country. Bangladesh Junior Hockey team clichéd the Challenger Trophy in Junior World Cup Hockey.
Amirul said, ” This is definitely a big achievement. Although our goal was to be in the last 16. But we drew the match with South Korea in the group stage. If we had won, we might have had a chance.”
Amirul also said, “I thought we would have won against Australia and France too, but we didn’t due to lack of experience. These goals are not mine alone, my teammates also contributed to this. I want to thank them and the coaching staff. My teammates especially supported me a lot. There were players in the team who were more skilled than me, but they gave me a chance. Everyone believed that I could convert penalty corners into goals. But this is my strength. Before every match, I talk to the coach. I also analyse myself personally.” “I played in the World Cup for the junior team. I dream of playing in the World Cup for the senior team one day. For that, I have to prepare myself better, and I will try to do that in the future”, he added.
