Hosts finish empty-handed

Hosts Bangladesh completed their first-ever Asian Champions Trophy campaign in fifth position among five teams following a 6-2 defeat to former world champions Pakistan in the last pool match at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium yesterday.

Pakistan, who needed a point to qualify for the last four, finished third and the margin of victory helped them avoid defending champions India in the semifinals. Pakistan grabbed third position by virtue of superior goal difference over Japan, who in the day's first match suffered a 6-0 defeat to table-toppers India.

Pakistan will take on second-placed South Korea while India will square off against Japan in the semifinals, billed for Tuesday at the same venue.

Bangladesh, who conceded 23 goals and scored four goals in four matches, finished without a single point.

Despite knowing that a win would take them to the semifinals, the men in red and green took to the field with a defensive strategy and kept their opponents at bay initially.

PHOTO: STAR

The charges of Iman Gobinathan Krishnamurthy raised their hopes of even an upset victory after taking the lead against the run of play when Arshad Hossain scooped home in the 13th minute after Rashel Mahmud Jimmy stopped a fierce hit from Shohanur Rahman.

But the lead lasted only for a minute as Pakistan hit back strongly with a close-range strike from Nadeem Ahmed. Since that point nothing went in favour of Bangladesh, who could not match Pakistan's pace and pressing hockey. Instead, Bangladesh's defence was exposed badly in face of crisp passing from Pakistan in the attacking third.

With Bangladesh struggling to negotiate with the opposition players, Pakistan took the lead three minutes into the second quarter when Ahmed Ajaz darted into the circle from the right almost without any challenge before beating goalkeeper Biplob Khujur with a diagonal hit while Arfaz and captain Umar Bhutta netted one goal apiece in the 24th and 26th minutes to shatter Bangladesh's confidence before going to the break with a comfortable 4-1 lead.

After resumption, Bangladesh came out of the sit-back strategy to launch attacks down the two flanks but were well resisted by Pakistan, who widened the margin through a penalty-corner strike from Muhammad Razzak in the 34th minute. One minute later, Bangladesh pulled one goal back with Arshad Hossain tapping in a diagonal hit from Ashraful Islam but Ajaz restored the margin again with a tap-in in the 38th minute.  The home team then collectively defended the area to keep the defeat to a reasonable margin.