In the Junior Hockey World Cup, Bangladesh’s Under-21 team showcased remarkable resilience as they drew 3-3 against a strong South Korean side in their second match. Drag-flick specialist Amirul Islam once again proved to be the hero, completing his second consecutive hat-trick following his brilliant performance against Australia in the opening fixture.
Trailing 3-0 in the first half, Bangladesh appeared on the back foot early on. At Chennai’s Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium, Lee Min Hyeok opened the scoring for Korea in the 8th minute from a penalty corner. The visitors doubled their lead in the 13th minute through Son Siyonghan. Just four minutes later, Lee Min Hyeok struck again from a penalty stroke, leaving Bangladesh in a precarious position.
However, the third quarter witnessed a remarkable comeback led by Amirul. In the 38th minute, he converted his first penalty corner to spark the revival. In the opening minute of the fourth quarter, he netted his second goal, followed by a decisive third goal in the 56th minute, completing his second consecutive hat-trick of the tournament. His precise drag-flicks not only brought the team back into the game but also lifted the morale of the squad significantly.
Amirul’s exceptional display earned him the “Player of the Match” award for both encounters so far. With six goals in two matches—all from penalty corners—Bangladesh have found a talisman in their star defender. After narrowly losing 5-3 to world champions Australia in their opening game, Bangladesh demonstrated courage and composure to earn a hard-fought draw against Korea.
The Under-21 side will next face France in the final group-stage match, hoping to continue their impressive form and capitalise on Amirul’s goal-scoring momentum. His consistent performances are a source of inspiration and a vital factor for Bangladesh’s aspirations in this prestigious tournament.