Bangladesh women make it three straight wins at Junior Asia Cup

Bangladesh's Under-20 women's hockey team secured a third consecutive victory at the Junior Asia Cup in Inner Mongolia, China, thrashing Kazakhstan 4-0 on Tuesday, to confirm themselves as group champions with a match still in hand.

The result, following earlier wins over Chinese Taipei and Pakistan, also guaranteed Bangladesh a place among the top six sides in the ten team tournament, strengthening their position at the summit of the Challenger Pool with nine points from three matches.

Bangladesh dominated from the outset at the Moqi Training Ground, with captain Sharika Rimon opening the scoring inside the third minute, converting a penalty corner to give her side an early lead over their opponents.

Liza Akter doubled the advantage with a well taken field goal in the 14th minute, leaving Bangladesh 2-0 ahead at the end of the opening quarter.

Kazakhstan pushed for a way back into the contest across the second and third quarters, creating several openings of their own, but found no way past a well organised Bangladesh defence.

The visitors reasserted control in the closing quarter, adding two further goals to put the result beyond doubt.

Jakia Afroz Lima struck in the 46th minute to make it 3-0, before Sharika added her second of the afternoon from another penalty corner in the 51st minute to complete the emphatic 4-0 win.

This marked only the second occasion Bangladesh have competed at the Junior Asia Cup, having finished ninth on their debut appearance in 2023. India remain the reigning champions of the competition.

The Challenger Pool also features Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong, while hosts China headline the Elite Pool alongside Japan, India, South Korea and Malaysia.

The top three Challenger Pool sides, along with all five Elite Pool teams, will progress to the quarter finals, with the fourth and fifth placed Challenger Pool teams contesting the ninth and tenth place playoff instead.

Bangladesh will look to complete a perfect group stage campaign when they face Hong Kong in their final pool match at 7am Bangladesh time on Wednesday, September 9.