Bangladesh qualify for Asian Games hockey

Bangladesh secured a place in the hockey event of the Asian Games after a tense victory in the qualifiers.

They defeated Hong Kong, China men's national field hockey team 3–2 in a shootout following a 4–4 draw in regulation time. The match was played at the Royal Thai Air Force Hockey Ground on Thursday (April 9).

Bangladesh were close to sealing a clear victory in regulation time, but late goals from Hong Kong, China levelled the score and forced the match into a shootout. Bangladesh kept their composure in the tiebreaker to secure the win.

Nine teams are competing in the Asian Games hockey qualifiers, divided into two pools. The top six teams will qualify for the main event to be held in Japan next September. With this victory, Bangladesh men's national field hockey team confirmed a top-six finish and qualification.

Bangladesh made a strong start to the match. In the fourth minute, Rakibul Hasan scored from open play. Just a minute later, Amirul Islam doubled the lead from a penalty stroke. Hong Kong, China soon reduced the gap with a goal of their own.

No goals were scored in the second quarter. Early in the third quarter, Ahmed Ishtiaq equalised for Hong Kong, China from a penalty corner. Later in the same quarter, Ashraful Islam restored Bangladesh’s lead with a goal from another penalty corner.

The final quarter produced intense action. Around the 48th minute, Hong Kong, China scored twice before and after Ashraful Islam converted another penalty corner for Bangladesh. The score was level at 4–4 at full time, sending the match to a shootout.

In the shootout, Waidul Joy, Roman Sarkar and Fazle Rabbi converted their chances to seal the victory for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh began the tournament with a 4–3 win over Chinese Taipei, followed by a 3–2 loss to Sri Lanka and a 1–1 draw against Uzbekistan, which pushed them into the classification round.

After finishing third in their group, Bangladesh moved into the 5th–8th classification matches. Thursday’s win ensured their place among the top six teams. They will now face Chinese Taipei on Friday with a chance to finish fifth.

Bangladesh have now qualified for the Asian Games hockey competition for the 12th time. Their best performance in the tournament remains a sixth-place finish, achieved in 1978 and again in 2018.