Bangladesh win challenger trophy in Hockey Jr World Cup

BSS, Dhaka :

Amirul Islam scored his fifth hat-trick in the tournament as Bangladesh U-21 hockey team won the challenger trophy of FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup beating Austria by 5-4 goals in the place-deciding match (17th, 18th) was held in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India on Monday.

Thanks to Amirul for his impressive performance once again that helped Bangladeshis to win Challenger trophy. Amirul scored a total of eighteen goals, the highest scorer in the Youth Hockey World Cup so far. He has taken Bangladesh to a different level with his performance in the World Cup.

Bangladesh took the lead in the first quarter with Amirul Islam opened Bangladesh’s account converting a penalty corner in the 15th minute.

In the second quarter, Hozifa Hossain doubled the lead scoring the second goal for Bangladesh converting a penalty corner in the 27th minute and Rakibul Hasan further widened the margin for Bangladesh scoring a field goal in the 35th minute of third quarter giving Bangladesh a 3-0 lead.
Andor reduced the margin for Austria with a field goal in the 44th minute.

In the fourth quarter, Amirul Islam scored his second and fourth goal for Bangladesh converting a penalty stroke in the 50th minute but Benjamin pulled one back for Austria scoring the second goal in the next minute.

Amirul completed his fifth hat-trick in the tournament scoring the fifth goal for Bangladesh again converting penalty stroke in the 52nd minute of the match.

Austria however responded with two quick goals in the 57th and 59th minutes through Kaiser and Nyckowiak respectively, sparking hopes of a dramatic comeback. However the boys in red and green held their nerve in the closing minutes to secure a narrow, yet deserved victory and booked their 17th place in the tournament.