Bangladeshi women reach Asian Games Hockey

A draw would have guaranteed the Bangladesh Women’s Hockey team a ticket to the final phase of the Asian Games Hockey Competition. But the Bangladeshi women’s target was to finish the Pool-A stage with a win. Their goal was achieved. In addition to defeating Hong Kong,China 2-1 in the Women’s Asian Games Hockey Qualifier at Jakarta in Indonesia on Sunday, the red-and-green outfit also entered the Asian Games for the first time. Bangladesh women gained seven points from three matches and became the Pool-A champions to qualify for the Asian Games Hockey.

The 20th edition of the Asian Games will be held in Japan in September-October this year. Where this is the first time that the Bangladesh Men’s Hockey team and Bangladesh Women’s Hockey team will participate.

The Women’s Asian Games Qualifier are the first international competition for Bangladeshi women. And the team are doing great in the first edition. Hong Kong were quite experienced opponents.

Hong Kong took the lead in the first minute of the match. Melissa of Hong Kong put her team ahead.
Despite falling behind quickly, the Bangladeshi women did not give up. They put pressure on their opponents from the second minute. The result came in the tenth minute. Bangladesh midfielder Nadira Emma scored a field goal with a wonderful hit from the middle of the crowd.

After a 1-1 tie, Bangladesh got two penalty corners towards the end of the first quarter. However, they could not capitalize on any of them. Despite creating multiple opportunities in the second quarter, Head Coach Zahid Hossain’s team could not score a goal.

Bangladesh, who scored five goals from penalty corners in their first two matches, felt a bit unfamiliar on the set pitch on Sunday. Despite getting six penalty corners in the entire match, the girls could not hit the target. However, they did not have any problems reaching the port of victory. Kona Akter gave Bangladesh the match-winning goal with a field goal in the 39th minute. Although Hong Kong scared Bangladesh’s defense several times in the last quarter but failed to draw.

Bangladesh drew 5-5 with Chinese Taipei in the first match of the Pool-A match on April 23 at the same venue. They defeated Uzbekistan 3-2 goals in the second Pool-A match on April 24 at the same venue.
It may be mentioned that the top four teams from the eight-team Women’s Asian Games Hockey Qualifier will play in the Asian Games.