Oman lose to Bangladesh; India rout Chinese Taipei

Hosts Oman began their campaign in the ninth AHF Men’s Junior Asia Cup Salalah 2023 on a disappointing note as they went down to Bangladesh 2-0 in a Pool B match on Tuesday night.

And on Wednesday evening, defending champions India started their title defence on a rousing note as they steamrolled Chinese Taipei 18-0 in a Pool A match. The winners led 6-0 at half-time.

On Tuesday, Pakistan had drubbed Chinese Taipei 15-1 as both India and Pakistan vie to top the group. In another match on Wednesday, South Korea routed Uzbekistan 6-1. The winners led 2-0 at half-time.

Earlier on Tuesday, Pakistan, Japan and Malaysia recorded easy wins. Oman are playing in the Junior Asia Cup for the fourth time, while Bangladesh are making their seventh appearance.

Bangladesh drew the first blood in the 22nd minute when Ali Mohammed found the back of the net.

Khalid al Raisi-led Oman came back strongly looking for the equaliser but it remained elusive.

Hossain Mohammed made it 2-0 for Bangladesh to take the game away and despite Oman making repeated forays into the Bangladesh area, they failed to reduce the deficit.

Oman and Bangladesh have been drawn in Pool B of the ten-nation competition along with Malaysia, South Korea and Uzbekistan.

While Malaysia trounced Uzbekistan 8-1 in the earlier match on Tuesday, South Korean launched their campaign in style on Wednesday.

Pool A comprises holders and three-time champions India along with three-time winners Pakistan, Japan, Thailand and Chinese Taipei.

The Junior Asia Cup is a qualifying event for the FIH Junior Men’s Asia Cup in Malaysia in December.