Malaysia clinch Hockey World League title

Dhaka: Coming from behind, Malaysia clinched the eight-nation round-2 title of the 2017 Men Hockey World League beating China by 5-3 goals in penalty shootout in the final at Moulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium here on Sunday.

The title-deciding match between the two teams was locked in 2-2 goals in the stipulated period.

Meanwhile, both the finalists --Malaysia and China - have already earned the right to play in the next round of the Hockey World League.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith distributed the trophies as the chief guest while President of Bangladesh Hockey Federation and Chief of Bangladesh Air Force Air Marshall Abu Esrar was present as a special guest.

In the final, DU Talake put China ahead in the 15th minute from a penalty corner (1-0) while Su Jun doubled the Chinese margin scoring a field goal in the 22nd minute (2-0).

Saabah Shahril reduced the margin for Malaysia in the 46th minute from a penalty corner (2-1) while Jazlan Naimi brought Malaysia to the race scoring one more goal in the 55th minute, also from a penalty corner (2-2).

In penalty shootout, Nik Rosemi Aiman, Jali Faiz, Jalil Marhan, Ahmed Tengku and Saari Fitri converted spot kicks correctly to win the title for Malaysia.

E Liguang, AO Suozhu and GUO Zixiang of China came out successful in penalty shootout while another attempt of Meng Dihao saved by Malaysian custodian.        

Egypt finished 3rd in the tournament beating Oman by 5-1 goals in a place deciding match Sunday afternoon at the same venue.

Hosts Bangladesh clinched a consolation 5th place beating Ghana by 4-3 goals in penalty shootout as the classification between them was locked in 3-3 goals in the schedule time.

Penalty corner specialist Mamunur Rahman Chayan struck two goals in the 19th and 21st minutes from his favourite penalty corners while skipper Rasel Mahmud Jimmy scored the 3rd goal for Bangladesh in the last minute of the match, also from a penalty corner during the scheduled time.

In a battle of two bottom teams, Sri Lanka finished 7th beating Fiji by 5-3 goals in another classification match at the same venue in the morning.