Five-star Bangladesh hockey exact revenge on Sri Lanka

Bangladesh men's hockey team inflicted a convincing 5-1 defeat on Sri Lanka in their Pool A match of the Asian Games in Japan today.

It was the first win for the men in red and green, who had entered the match on the back of defeats to South Korea and Japan, as well as the bitter memory of losing 3-2 to Sri Lanka after 20 years in the Asian Games Qualifiers in April.

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Bangladesh gave Sri Lanka no room to repeat the outcome, taking a seventh-minute lead through Amirul Islam, who converted a penalty corner. Ashraful Islam doubled the lead in the first minute of the second quarter, converting another penalty corner.

Sri Lanka offered some resistance by pulling a goal back in the 19th minute through Kudal Weerappuli, who converted a penalty corner.

Three minutes before the break, Bangladesh restored their two-goal advantage as Amirul struck his second, converting a penalty. Forward Mahbub Hossain then joined the party, converting their fourth penalty goal in the 32nd minute.

The charges of German coach Peter Gerhard took the match beyond Sri Lanka’s reach, with Ashraful completing the 5-1 victory in the 54th minute by converting a penalty stroke.