MUSCAT, JAN 7
Oman thrashed Chinese Taipei 9-1 to begin their men's junior AHF Cup Muscat 2023 on a promising note at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Friday night.
Hosts Oman, who had won the tournament once and reached final two other times, as expected started the last match of the opening day in a brisk fashion.
Chinese Taipei, who won the first edition of the tournament and finished third three times, were also not behind in organising counter moves.
Oman went ahead in the sixth minute through a penalty corner converted by Asama Barazahan. Two minutes later, Hassan al Balushi made it 2-0 for the hosts through a field goal. Oman led 2-0 in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Oman hit another goal from a penalty corner as Asama netted his second just before the half-time whistle.
After the break, Aliyas al Noufali gave a great start to Oman with a field goal in the first minute itself to move ahead by 4-0.
Aiman Madit made it 5-0 in the 40th minute from a penalty corner.
The Omani players continued their onslaught on Chinese Taipei and Hussam Bait put the lead 6-0 from another penalty corner in the 48th minute.
In the 50th minute, Chinese Taipei found their lone moment of the match when Chun-Yu Chang scored from a penalty corner to make it 6-1.
However, the Omani players were not finished their business yet as Hussam struck from a penalty corner in the 54th minute to regain six-goal lead at 7-1.
Aliyas al Noufali added the eighth goal for Oman in the 56th minute.
Hussam completed the 9-1 scoreline with another strike from a penalty corner in the next minute.
In Pool A matches on January 8, Chinese Taipei will play against Indonesia, while Oman will take on Thailand.
BANGLADESH START WELL
In the opening match of the sixth edition of the Men’s Junior Cup 2023, Bangladesh blanked Hong Kong 4-0 in Pool B.
Bangladesh, the top ranked team in the tournament, went ahead in the second minute with a field goal by Mohammed Ali. Mohammed Hasan made it 2-0 in the 14th minute with another field goal.
In the 21st minute, Amirul Islam increased the lead to 3-0 from a penalty corner.
Three minutes to end the match, 19-year-old Mohammed Ali struck his second field goal as Bangladesh completed proceedings with a 4-0 score.
Bangladesh team, led by Mamun Rashed, are making their third appearance while the Hong Kong team, led by Kulwant Dillon, are making their fourth appearance in the tournament.
Mohammed Hasan was selected as the player of the match.
THAILAND, UZBEKISTAN WIN
In second match of the day, Thailand come from behind to edge Indonesia 2-1 in Pool A.
Indonesia struck in the 16th minute as Arthur Wibowo netted a field goal. Indonesia led 1-0 at the half-time.
Thailand came back in the second half when Kritsana Phumee hit the target from a penalty corner in the 35th minute.
Four minutes to end the game, Chanachol Rungniyom struck the winner for Thailand from a penalty corner.
Thailand's Worawut Kaeochianghwang, 17, was the player of the match.
The Pool B match between Uzbekistan and Sri Lanka was a goal fest as 10 goals were scored and Uzbekistan winning it 7-3.
For Uzbekistan, 18-year-old captain Amur Ismoilov netted four times (5-pc, 21, 26, 34 minutes), while Omadbek Khamitov (11-pc), Shokhrukh Khamitov (30-pc) and Abdusalom Madaminov (51-penalty) scored one each.
Sri Lanka were on the scoresheet courtesy Alisandarage Hewawasam (29-pc), Sandaruwan Batuvita (40-pc) and Pramod Bandara (60th).
Ismoilov was selected as the player of the match for his four goals.
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