Bangladesh confirmed their fifth classification match in the ongoing Asia Cup Hockey Championship after outplaying hosts Indonesia by 4-2 on Sunday.
Bangladesh set to play their fifth place decider match against Pakistan on June 1.
Held at the GBK Hockey Field in Jakarta, Indonesia getting off to a rollicking start with an early goal in the 12th minute through Russel Mahmud Jimy, Bangladesh put pressure on the hosts right from the early hour of first quarter.
Bangladesh, who beat Indonesia in their last two meetings in the AHF Cup Hockey held in Jakarta in March and in the Asian Games qualifying in Bangkok by 7-2 and 3-1 respectively, kept their winning streak after winning this match.
Russel Mahmud Jimmy, the prolific striker of Bangladesh opened scoring in style with a fantastic field goal when he ran faster to receive a long ball in an open space and then dribbled past the opponents’ keeper before to push the ball in open net on 12th minute (1-0).
But Indonesia came out to equalize the margin to make the match competitive with Al-Akbar converted a penalty corner 18th minute (1-1).
Bangladesh keeping their domination restored the lead with Ashraful Islam hit the top corner of the post to convert one off their seven penalty corners on 20th minute and four minutes later they made it 3-1 and this time Emon beat Indonesian goalkeeper to finish a combined attack.
After having 3-1 lead Bangladesh looked a bit defensive and Indonesia took the advantage to reduce the arrear through Ardam on 36th minute. Indonesia just threatened with some good attacks and secured the penalty corner to make the tally (3-2).
In the fourth quarter Bangladesh regained their confidence and just squeezing the hosts opened some good scoring chances and also had four penalty corners in a row but could not convert any one when their goalkeeper, who was outstanding throughout the match, denied all the efforts.
Bangladesh could have been won the match with a big margin but the goalkeeper of Indonesia, who adjudged man of the match later on was brilliant under the bar with denying six penalty corners while he also excellently saved two superb dragflicks by Ashraful and a reverse hit of Pushkar Khisha Mimo, apart from some strong attacks.
But the Bangladesh boys finally scored another one goal just before one minute to final whistle when Pushkar Khisha closely beat goalkeeper after having the ball from Jimmy (4-2).