Bangladesh made a strong start to their AHF Cup hockey campaign with an impressive 5-1 win over Kazakhstan in their first Group B match held on Friday in Jakarta.

Although Bangladesh had early control and chances, the breakthrough came in the 24th minute. Ashraful Islam, known for his penalty corner skills, opened the scoring to give Bangladesh the lead.

Kazakhstan hit back quickly. In the 30th minute, Duyssen-Gazi scored from a penalty corner to level the match, slowing down Bangladesh’s early momentum.

The game turned in the third quarter. Naim Uddin put Bangladesh ahead again in the 38th minute, scoring from another penalty corner. Just one minute later, Rakibul Hasan added another with a neat field goal, making it 3-1.

Bangladesh kept the pressure on, and striker Sohanur Rahman Sabuj made it 4-1 in the 44th minute, again from a penalty corner.

Ashraful Islam wrapped up the scoring with his second goal in the final minutes, also coming from a penalty corner, securing a comfortable 5-1 victory for the red and green team.

Bangladesh’s next match is against hosts Indonesia on 20 April.

BDST: 2143 HRS, April 18, 2025
MSK