MUSCAT: Oman thrashed Bangladesh 6-2 in the final to emerge champions of the 2022 Asian Games Qualifiers tournament in Bangkok on Sunday.
World No 23 ranked Oman held a clear advantage over World No 29 Bangladesh in the final of the qualifying tournament for the Asian Games 2022 to clinch their first major trophy in recent times.
Oman pumped in three goals in the first quarter and one in the third quarter and struck the target twice in the last quarter.
The resounding triumph by the Sultanate of Oman team turned out to be a sweet revenge for their 5-3 final defeat against the same opponents in penalty shoot-out at the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia on March 30. The match ended 1-1 at full-time.
In the Thailand capital, Oman started strongly with Ammaar al Shaaibi striking early from a penalty corner in the third minute.
Fahad al Lawati made it 2-0 for Oman in the seventh minute with a field goal. Two minutes later, Salah al Saadi found the target through a field goal.
Bangladesh defence was rattled by Oman’s fast attacks from the kick off as they conceded three goals in the first 10 minutes itself.
The Tigers then turned focus on the defence to avoid further goals and manoeuvred the job successfully till the end of second quarter.
After the break, Oman returned to their original self as Mubarak bin Asaad al Qasmi scored a field goal in the 33rd minute.
With Oman leading 4-0, Bangladesh made some desperate attempts to reduce the huge deficit.
A resultant penalty corner in the 47th minute was successfully converted by Ashraful Islam to make it 4-1.
Star Omani player Rashad al Fazari came into the act in the 50th minute with a brilliant field goal to put his team 5-1 ahead.
Oman continued their brilliant form as Asama al Shibli made it 6-1 in the 58th minute through another field goal.
Fazla Rabby returned one goal for Bangladesh with one minute to go but it was beyond the reach for his team in the final as Oman stormed to a 6-2 victory.
In the semifinals on Saturday, Oman blanked Indonesia 2-0 while Bangladesh outsmarted hosts Thailand 4-1.
In the play-off matches on Sunday, Indonesia edged Thailand 4-3 to claim the third position.
Sri Lanka finished in fifth spot after beating Uzbekistan 3-1 in the penalty shoot-out. At regulation time, the match ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
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