Bangladesh draw with Uzbekistan

The umpire’s final whistle. Uzbekistan Hockey team players celebrate, Amirul-Ashraful sat on the turf.

Uzbekistan drew 1-1 against Bangladesh in their Pool-B match of the Asian Games Hockey Qualifier in Bangkok, Thailand on Monday. Uzbekistan celebrated after getting their first point against Bangladesh at the international level.

Moronshokh of Uzbekistan put his team ahead in the sixth minute.
Amirul Islam of Bangladesh equalized the margin by a penalty stroke in the 46th minute of the match.

Bangladesh are aiming for the title this time, playing in the Asian Games is now uncertain. Sri Lanka is the champion of Pool-B with 6 points after the Bangladesh-Uzbekistan match was drawn. Bangladesh and Uzbekistan are equal on 4 points.

As Uzbekistan are ahead on goal difference, they became the group runners-up and will enter the semi-finals and Asian Games.

Bangladesh are in third place in Pool-B. Bangladesh, which regularly plays finals in this tournament, will now have to play a placement match to play in the Asian Games.

If they win the first match there, they will get a chance to play in the Asian Games.

The next match will be for the fifth place. According to the Asian Hockey Federation, 12 teams will participate in Asian Games Hockey in Aichi Nagoya, Japan in September.

Along with the hosts Japan, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, South Korea and China will play directly as they are ahead in the rankings. The remaining 6 teams will play from the Asian Games Hockey Qualifier.