Bangladesh's hopes dashed

The Bangladesh under-18 hockey team failed to make it through to the Youth Olympics after suffering a 2-9 defeat against favourites India in the first semifinal in Bangkok yesterday.

The boys in red and green, who held Pakistan to a 3-3 draw on Friday to make it through to the last four, failed to put up any resistance against a strong Indian side, ably led by their captain Shivam Anan, who scored a hattrick within the first 15 minutes of this 30-minute encounter.

Sohanur Rahman, the Bangladesh skipper, scored two goals in the 23rd and 29th minute to salvage some pride.

Bangladesh will take on Korea in the third-place deciding match today. The champions and runners-up from Asia will qualify for the Youth Olympics which will be held later this year in Buenos Aires, Argentina.