Clinical penalty corners see Bangladesh edge Chinese Taipei 4-3

Bangladesh's national hockey team came from behind to notch up a sweating 4-3 win over Chinese Taipei in their opening match of the Men's Asian Games Qualifiers in Bangkok, Thailand, today.

Top favourites Bangladesh received a blow in the early stages as Li-Chi Hsuan gave Chinese Taipei a four-minute lead from open play, becoming a wake-up call for the men in red and green.

The charges of Ashikuzzaman then established their authority on the game to take the match away from Taipei by converting four straight penalty corners. 

Ashraful Islam levelled the margin in the 15th minute, before giving a lead in the 22nd minute from penalty corners.

Amirul Islam, top scorer of the FIH U-21 Junior World Cup, then made it 3-1 by converting another penalty in the 34th minute, before Deen Mohammad Emon widened the margin in the penultimate minute to almost ensure the victory. 

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Although Chinese Taipei gave a shake in the last two minutes by reimbursing two goals to reduce the margin to 4-3, the Bangladesh boys held their nerve to preserve the lead, ensuring they left the pitch with maximum points.