Bangladesh concede defeat against Japan
Dhaka: Two quick goals by Kenta Tanaka in the last two minutes guided Japan to beat hosts Bangladesh by 3-1 goals in their last Pool A match of the eight-team Hero 10th Men's Asia Cup Hockey at the Maulana Bhashani National Stadium in Dhaka on Sunday.
After the barren first quarter, Kenji Kitazato put Japan ahead by a field goal in the 22nd minute through his lone effort, sending ball home behind Bangladesh custodian Asim Gope in the 2nd quarter (1-0).
Penalty corner specialist Mamunur Rahman Chayan equalised the margin for Bangladesh in the 28th minute by his favorite penalty corner (1-1) taken by Pushkar Khisa Mimo and stopped by Rana, also in the 2nd quarter (1-1).
The 3rd quarter of the match also ended goalless against confident and determined Bangladesh.
When the match was almost heading for a draw and Bangladesh were waiting for long whistle, Kenta Tanaka shocked Bangladesh scoring two quick field goals in a span of only one minute due to poor match temperament of the home side.
He scored the 2nd goal for Japan in the 59th minute through his lone effort by straight hit (2-1) while the 3rd goal from close just 20 seconds before the final whistle capitalising on a mistake of Rezaul Babu to the frustrating of the home crowd (3-1).
Earlier, Bangladesh custodian Asim Gope saved a penalty stroke taken by Shota in the 40th minute while Japanese goalie saved his castle brilliantly foiling a reverse hit of Kaushik, off a Jimmy pass.
After the day's maiden victory in the four-team group, Japan were in the 3rd slot in the four-team group ahead of all-loser Bangladesh securing four points from three matches with a negative goal difference of 2.
Bangladesh completed their Pool A engagements with empty handed losing all the three matches after conceding 0-7 goals defeat against both the Pakistan and India.