Dhaka: Bangladesh squandered numerous chances before managing a 2-2 draw against Hong Kong in the Asian Games Qualifying Tournament at the hosts’ home-ground Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium Wednesday.

They claimed six penalty corners (PC) and a penalty stock before the long whistle, but couldn’t make a single goal cashing in on the awards.

Penalty-corner expert Mamun UR Rahman Chayan failed to place the balls into the goalpost for misreading opponent goalkeeper Hong Wanng Howard who saved most of the balls.  

Making a flying start, Bangladesh led the match in the first 29 minutes. They opened their account at the 16th minute from the whistle-start with a field goal. Pushkor Khisha hit the ball beside penalty box towards the goalpost where Krishna Kumar was ready to connect--and he did it.

Hong Kong equaled the tally at the 30th minute during the first half. Host goalkeeper Monowar Hossain Rasel intercepted Arif Ali’s hard hit, but his mate defenders couldn’t clear the ball in time. Christopher James took the chance and netted the ball.

At the 12th minute of the second half, Hong Kong scored another goal over PC and they led the match 2-1. Bangladesh got a penalty stock, which missed Striker Rasel Mahmud Jimi. Fortunately, the host team leveled (2-2) the match at the 55th minute to save the day. Maksud Alam Habul scored the goal. The rest of the time Bangladesh played all-out for a goal, but to no avail in the end.

The hosts gathered four points from three matches by one win and a draw. They won their first match against underdog Thailand while lost the second against Chinese Taipei.

Still Bangladesh has the opportunity to qualify for the Asian Games, if they win next three matches against Sri Lanka, Singapore and Oman.

SA/MUA
BDST:0240hrs, May 12, 2010