Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh national U-21 hockey team held Malaysia to a 2-2 draw in their third Pool B match of Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament at the Al Amerat Hockey Stadium in Muscat, Oman on Saturday.
Moududur Rahman Shuvo’s charges, who had started the tournament with a 3-1 win against Oman before suffering a 6-0 drubbing by Pakistan, put on a spirited display to hold a strong Malaysia side to a draw.
It is the first draw for Bangladesh against Malaysia in the history of the competition, having suffered an 8-0 defeat to them in 2015 and a 5-1 defeat last year.
Bangladesh goalkeeper Noyon made some stunning saves throughout the match to be adjudged as the player of the match.
However, it was a poor start for the men in red and green, who conceded the lead in the very second minute, Danish Danial scoring the goal from open play.
Malaysia dominated the opening quarter but could not extend their lead, instead Bangladesh had the opportunity to euqlise in the second quarter when they won a penalty stroke in the 26th minute. Forward Rafizul’s Hasan’s effort, though, was blocked by the Malaysia goalkeeper.
Rafizul, however, made amends in the same minute with a brilliant piece of play as he dribbled past three defenders and earned a penalty corner, which skipper Amirul Islam converted with a powerful flick.
Rafizul gave Bangladesh the lead with a beautiful hit in the sixth minute of the third quarter, turning on his feet inside the D box and picking the target with a fierce diagonal hit.
However, Malaysia came roaring back into the game with an equaliser in the last minute of the third quarter, Norizam Muhammad bringing parity with a shot following a penalty corner.
Earlier, Bangladesh made a winning start in the tournament beating Oman by 3-1 goals, but suffered a massive 0-9 goal defeat to Pakistan in their second match.
