Women rule Challengers

Bangladesh junior hockey enjoyed contrasting fortunes at the Junior Asia Cup in China on Wednesday as the women’s side stormed to quarter-final at the Challengers title unbeaten, while the men were left fighting for their Junior World Cup dream.

The Bangladesh U-21 women crushed Hong Kong, China 6-0 at the Morin Dawa Stadium in Moqi for their fourth straight victory and finished as unbeaten champions of the Challengers group.

Captain Sharika Rimon opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a penalty-corner strike before Airin Akter Riya doubled the lead with a field goal in the 19th. Kona Akter made it 3-0 in the 26th minute.

Mosammat Lima struck in the 31st minute, Riya added her second two minutes later and Lima completed her brace in the 48th minute.

Junior women are now expected to face Elite group side Japan, with victory sending them into the semi-finals and securing qualification for the Women’s Junior World Cup.

The young men, meanwhile, suffered a 3-0 defeat to Pakistan in their final pool match, their third loss in four games. Their only victory came against Kazakhstan.

Fourth in their pool, Bangladesh must now beat Japan in a fifth-to-eighth place classification match to remain in contention for Junior World Cup qualification. Only the top six teams qualify, meaning defeat will end their World Cup hopes and send them into the seventh-place playoff.

Coach Mawdudur Rahman Shuvo urged his players to eliminate basic errors.

“We were in a position to win every match in this group, but a few mistakes cost us,” Shuvo said. “We cannot repeat those mistakes against Japan. All our focus is now on that match.”

He also rued the lack of international exposure.

“It would have been better if our players had played more warm-up games,” he said. “More matches bring more experience.”