Bangladesh finish fifth, remain hopeful of World Cup chance

Bangladesh’s U-20 women’s team ended their Junior Asia Cup campaign on a winning note, beating Malaysia 2-1 in the fifth-place play-off in Hukunbir City, China, today to secure fifth place and keep alive their hopes of reaching next year’s Junior World Cup.

After a goalless first half, captain Sharika Rimon broke the deadlock in the 31st minute, converting a penalty stroke to put Bangladesh 1-0 ahead.

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Bangladesh doubled their advantage five minutes into the fourth period when Kona Akter scored from a field goal in the 50th minute.

Malaysia pulled one back through Irdina Jeffrey in the 59th minute, but Bangladesh held on to secure the victory and finish fifth in the tournament.

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The result could yet prove significant for Bangladesh’s hopes of making the Junior World Cup for the first time. Their direct route to next year’s tournament ended in the quarterfinals, where they lost 2-0 to Japan. Bangladesh needed to reach at least the semi-finals to secure direct qualification.

However, a route to the World Cup remains open if next year’s Women’s Junior World Cup is held in India.

Under the qualification rules, if the host nation secures a World Cup place through its continental qualification route, an additional team from the same continent gets the opportunity to qualify.

As Bangladesh finished fifth in the Junior Asia Cup, they would be in line for that place.

Under the qualification rules, if the host nation secures a World Cup place through its continental qualification route, an additional team from the same continent gets the opportunity to qualify. As Bangladesh finished fifth in the Junior Asia Cup, they would be in line for that place.

Coach Zahid Hossain Raju said, “Officials of the Asian Hockey Federation and people from several other teams have told us that we have a chance of playing in the World Cup if we finish fifth. We should be able to confirm the matter within a few days.”

Bangladesh had made a dominant start to the tournament, sweeping aside all four opponents in the group stage. They beat Chinese Taipei 7-0, Pakistan 5-1, Kazakhstan 4-0 and Hong Kong 6-0 before the quarter-final defeat to Japan.

The fifth-place victory over Malaysia ensured Bangladesh finished the campaign with five wins from six matches, having scored 26 goals and conceded just five across the tournament.