Bangladesh marked their Junior (U-21) Hockey World Cup debut with a commendable fightback, eventually falling 5–3 to Australia. All three Bangladesh goals came from Amirul Islam, who became the first Bangladeshi player to register a hat-trick in Hockey World Cup history.
The match at Chennai’s Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium began with an early setback, as Oliver Will put Australia ahead in the opening minute. Bangladesh responded with admirable resilience and levelled the score 1–1 at the end of the first quarter, thanks to Amirul’s penalty-corner strike in the 14th minute.
Australia took firm control in the second quarter, stretching their lead to 4–1 by the 24th minute. Ian Grobler scored in the 18th, Dylan Brick added another in the 22nd, and Duncan Jackson struck in the 24th minute.
Bangladesh created three penalty-corner opportunities in the third quarter and converted one of them, with Amirul reducing the deficit in the 42nd minute. Australia restored their cushion through Deakin Stanger in the 48th minute, but Amirul completed his hat-trick in the 59th minute from another penalty corner, keeping Bangladesh competitive until the final whistle.
Bangladesh will face South Korea on Sunday in their second group-stage fixture.
