Asian Games Hockey Qualifier: Bangladesh women beat Uzbekistan women
Although Bangladesh has a long history of hockey, there has never been a Senior National team in Women’s hockey.
The Women’s National Hockey team have been formed for the first time for the Women’s Asian Games Hockey Qualifier.
On Thursday, they drew 5-5 against Chinese Taipei in their first Pool-A match of Women’s Asian Games Hockey Qualifier at Jakarta in Indonesia.
On Friday, Bangladesh women defeated Uzbekistan by 3-2 goals in the second match of the Pool-A at the same venue. This is the first win for the Bangladesh Women’s Hockey team.
In the 11th minute of the match, Sharika Rimon scored from a penalty corner.
In the next minute, Uzbekistan’s Madinabonu Khujeeva equalized from a penalty corner.
In the 24th minute, Kona Akter gave Bangladesh the lead again. Bangladesh returned to the dressing room at half-time with a 2-1 lead.
After the break, Irin Riya gave Bangladesh another lead from a penalty corner. In the first minute of the fourth quarter, Uzbekistan’s Kheydarova Zulkhumor scored a goal from a penalty corner to signal a comeback.
Bangladesh played very cautiously for the remaining 14 minutes of the match. Bangladesh players celebrated their victory as soon as the final whistle blew.
Irin Riya, who scored one goal, was named the Player of the Match. She scored her first international goal for Bangladesh in the match against Chinese Taipei on Thursday.
She continued that streak yesterday and is very excited to be named Player of the Match, “I am very happy to be the best player in today’s match. Everyone in our team helped me, which is why I was able to come here.”
Bangladesh are at the top of the Pool-A with 4 points from two matches of Pool-A. The champions and runners-up of Pool-A will play the semi-finals.
All four semi-finalist teams will have the opportunity to play in the Asian Games in Japan. Bangladesh are still in a favourable position.
Even if they get one point against Hong Kong in the last match of the Pool-A tomorrow, Bangladesh will have a chance to secure the semi-finals and to reach the Asian Games.
