Hero Hockey World League Round Two 2013, day two round-up
China – Bangladesh 2-3 (half-time: 2-2)
Bangladesh produced the result of the men’s Hero Hockey World League Round Two 2013 to date when they got the better of world number 18 China 3-2 in a thrilling encounter in Delhi.
Pushkor Khisa got the crucial goal in the late phases of the game, sliding onto the pass from the excellent Rashel Mahmud whose lightning pace was a critical factor throughout.
His side had gone in front four minutes in when Mh Mamunur Rahman Chayan whipped a brilliant penalty corner flick into the top corner. China levelled soon after, though, via the experienced Yubo Na and were in front from the penalty spot with skipper Mi Ji holding his nerve to make it 2-1.
Bangladesh did not drop the intensity, though, and were level when a determined Mohammad Moinul Islam fired home while others hesitated in the circle.
China thought they were back in front early in the second half via the stick of Yanjun Su only for an umpire’s consultation to rule out his effort. Mi Ji also flashed wildly wide from close range soon after before Khisa got the winner in stunning fashion.
Mahmud tore down the right flank, out-stripping the left back and, full flow, lay on the perfect pass for his strike-partner. From there on, China found it impossible to break through the defence marshaled by Chayan and looked the more likely to extend the lead from a string of counter-attacks but no more goals were required as they held on for a result they gleefully celebrated.
India – Oman 9-1 (half-time: 4-1)
Another powerful performance from India saw them set up a critical Hero Hockey World League Round Two 2013 date with Ireland on Thursday when the two remaining sides with unbeaten records meet in Delhi. Oman put up a brave fight, pulling back a goal just before half-time via the drag-flicking stick of Mohamed Hubais Al Shar.
But the hosts had already nabbed four at that point, again their penalty corner pair VR Raghunath and Rupinder Pal Singh fizzing home some exceptional low strikes while Nitin Thimmaiah and Dharamvir Singh chipped in, too.
In the second half, there was a first international strike for Mandeep Singh and more corners for Raghunath and Rupinder. Thimmaiah and Gurjinder Singh closed out the win.
Fiji – Ireland 0-13 (half-time: 0-5)
Ireland equalled their largest ever senior men’s international victory as they saw off Fiji 13-0 in the opening game of day two of the Hero Hockey World League Round Two 2013 in Delhi.
Indeed, it was a record-breaking day as Eugene Magee, captain for the day, played in his 164th international game, a record for a player in the Irish green jersey.
He was among a list of nine goalscorers with Mitch Darling starting the run in the 12th minute while Alan Sothern continued his fine scoring form, netting second consecutive hat trick late in the game.
Source: International Hockey Federation
