Sri Lanka (6) vs Thailand (2)
The third day of the AHF Cup 2022, was enjoyed with many expectations for the national teams that were to compete.
The first match of the day was between Sri Lanka (WR.33) vs Thailand (WR.44) for Pool A.
After 3 minutes of play Thailand started the match in offensive and in this way was able to find a penalty corner to score the first goal, by Thanakrit Boon-Art.
After 7 minutes Dhananjana Bandara found the ball in the circle to push it into the goal. Two minutes later Thailand again took the lead with a goal by Kritsada Chueamkaew from a penalty corner.
In the minute before the end of the first quarter, Rifas Mohamed’s team would go into the first break with a tie, scored by Kusal Weerappuli.
During the following quarters the team led by Madurange Don Abraham grew and became stronger, scoring 4 more goals, one of them from penalty stroke in the last minutes of the game. The goals were scored by BANDARA Dhananjana again scoring 2 goals in this match, SUDUSINGHE Sanda, FERNANDO Udayashan and the penalty stroke goal scored by PANTHIE Lahiru.
The Southeast Asian team started fighting, but could not against a strong Sri Lankan team.
Thailand will have to wait for their opponent depending on some results of upcoming matches and Sri Lanka will play their last pool match tomorrow March 15 against Kazakhstan.
Bangladesh (7) vs Singapore (0)
Three-time defending champions Bangladesh earned their 2nd consecutive victory in Pool B of the Men’s Asian Hockey Federation Cup crushing Singapore by 7-0 goals at the GBK Field in the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Monday.
In the day’s match, Shahanur Rahman Sobuj scored three field goals in the 14th, 27th and 59th minutes.
Besides, Ashraful Islam, Arshad Hossain, Khorshedur Rahman and Pushkar Kisha Mimo scored one goal each for Bangladesh.
For their part, Singapore tried their best to defend against a strong Bangladesh side, taking every opportunity inside the circle, whether from direct field play or penalty corners. Bangladesh’s goalkeeper did his part to keep his goal clean sheet.
Bangladesh, which made a flying start in the nine-team AHF Cup Hockey 2022 outplaying hosts Indonesia by 7-2 goals last Friday, will play Iran on Tuesday (March 15) and upper ranked Oman on March 17 in the remaining Pool B matches.
Earlier, Bangladesh was placed in five-team pool B with Oman, Singapore, Iran and hosts Indonesia while four-team Pool A comprises Thailand, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, following the last moment withdrawal of stronger China.
After playing each other once, the top two teams from each of the two pools will play in the semi-finals on March 19 before the final on, March 20.
All the nine participating teams keep their bird eyes on one of a top three-place in the ongoing AHF Cup to join the final round of the next Men’s Asia Cup Hockey along with the five automatic qualifiers – India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Pakistan.
Oman (9) – Indonesia (1)
The Indonesian men’s hockey team swallowed a landslide defeat from Oman with a score of 1-9 in the Men’s AHF Cup 2022 event at the Gelora Bung Karno Hockey Field (GBK), Jakarta, Monday night.
The Red and White squad was not able to do much when facing Oman (WR.26) which is a strong team in Pool B. In the match, Oman appeared impressive by scoring the first two goals, respectively in the 10th and 16th minutes through Rashad AlFazari.
Then, Indonesia (WR.51) managed to reduce the deficit to 1-2 through Aulia Al Ardh’s goal in the 17th minute. But then the hosts were powerless to face the onslaught of Oman, until finally conceded the next seven goals.
“Indeed, the toughest opponent in this group (B) is Oman. They have a very good team. They also participate in the Asian Cup quite regularly, so this team is not a random team”, said Daarul Quthni in an official statement after the match.
This result made Indonesia’s step even harder to advance to the semifinals and fight for the top three positions to qualify for the Men’s Hockey Asia Cup 2022. Because, Daarul Quthni and his friends have twice lost.
In the first match, Friday (11/3), Indonesia also lost to Bangladesh with score of 2-7.
The only victory for Dhaarma Raj’s care team was when the played the second match against Singapore with a score of 3-2 on Saturday (12/3)
Thus, Indonesia must be satisfied to be in the fourth place in the standings while Pool B with three points.
While Oman and Bangladesh are in first and second place with six points respectively. Then Iran is in third position with three points. Singapore is at the bottom of the standings with no points.
To be able to advance to the Asian Cup this year, Indonesia must at least occupy the top three position in the AHF Cup 2022.
Indonesia still has one match left against Iran which is scheduled to roll on Thursday (17/3).
Oman will play March 15 against Singapore to define its place in Pool B
