Hockey team returns home tomorrow

Dhaka, 10 Dec -Bangladesh U-21 hockey team will return home Thursday afternoon after participating in the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup now being held in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.

A US Bangla flight carrying the hockey team is expected to land at Shahjalal International Airport at 5 pm.

Earlier, Bangladesh won the challenger trophy of FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup beating Austria by 5-4 goals in the place-deciding match (17th, 18th) on Monday last.

A hat-trick from tournament top-scorer Amirul Islam, and goals from Hozifa Hossain and Rakibul Hasan helped Bangladesh beat their opponent to 17th in the final rankings.

In the group phase, Bangladesh suffered a fighting 5-3 goals defeat to strong Australia in their opening group match, riding on Aminul Islam's magnificent hat-trick. They also came from behind to hold South Korea to a 3-3 draw in their group second match.

The boys and red and green again put up a brave performance conceding 3-2 defeat to reigning runners-up France in their third and ultimate group match.

They opened the 17-24th place decider phase with a commanding 13-0 win over Oman, their first-ever Junior World Cup victory, before an impressive 5-3 triumph over South Korea.BSS