Bangladesh qualify for Junior Hockey World Cup for first time

Bangladesh secured a spot in the Junior World Cup after a dominant 7-2 victory over Thailand in the Asian Under-21 Hockey Championship on Tuesday in Muscat, Oman. With the win, they advance to the sixth-place playoff, where even a defeat would guarantee their place in the World Cup. Currently ranked fifth, Bangladesh's qualification for the prestigious event is now assured.

Bangladesh took an early 2-0 lead over Thailand in their Asian Under-21 Hockey Championship clash on Tuesday, with Obaidul Hossain Joy opening the scoring in the third minute and Amirul Islam adding a penalty corner goal in the sixth. Mohammad Abdullah extended the lead to 3-0 just after halftime with a simple tap-in, before Thailand responded late in the second quarter, converting a penalty corner on the stroke of halftime to make it 3-1.

Thailand briefly threatened a comeback, but Bangladesh quickly quashed their hopes, adding three more goals in the third quarter through Mehedi Hasan Ovi, Saddam Khan, and Obaidul Hossain Joy. Thailand managed to pull one back with a penalty corner goal, but Bangladesh remained in control. Mohammad Abdullah sealed the 7-2 victory with a final goal in the fourth quarter, securing a historic win for the country's hockey team.

The Junior Hockey World Cup will be held in India next year.