Bangladesh and South Korea met earlier in the group stage, when Amirul Islam’s hat-trick salvaged a 3-3 draw after his side had trailed by three goals. In today’s placement match, the storyline was similar but the outcome far more satisfying. Another Amirul hat-trick inspired Bangladesh to a 5-3 victory, securing their second win of the Junior Hockey World Cup.
At the Madurai International Hockey Stadium, Korea went ahead in the 10th minute through Lee Min-hyeok, who doubled the lead from a penalty stroke in the 20th minute. Bangladesh’s revival began immediately afterwards, with Amirul once again at the heart of it, firing in drag-flicks with precision and power.
Bangladesh gained hope in the 21st minute after earning a penalty corner, which Amirul converted. Three minutes later, he struck again from another penalty corner to bring the match level.
Bangladesh earned two penalty corners in the third quarter but failed to take advantage. However, in the 35th minute, Amirul completed his hat-trick from a penalty stroke, giving Bangladesh the lead. It marked his fourth hat-trick of the tournament and took his tally to a competition-high 15 goals.
Korea responded with pressure of their own, earning five consecutive penalty corners, but failed to convert any of them. In the fourth quarter, Obaidul Joy extended Bangladesh’s lead with a field goal in the 52nd minute. Min-hyeok completed his hat-trick a minute later, but it only reduced the deficit, as Rakibul Hasan Rocky sealed the result with Bangladesh’s fifth goal in the 60th minute.
The win leaves Bangladesh one match away from their target of finishing 17th. On the day after Monday, Mehrab Hossain Samin’s team will face Austria in the playoff for 17th place.
