Bangladesh turn tables on India 
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| Bangladesh |
October 8, 2004
The Daily Star, Bangladesh
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Bangladesh celebrated winning its first-ever international tournament after the Under-21 team pulled off a thrilling 4-2 victory in the tie-breaker against India in the Challenge Cup hockey final at the Maulana Bhasani Stadium yesterday.
Hero of the piece was young BKSP goalkeeper Zahid Hossain who held his nerve in the lottery after both sides finished goalless in 90 minutes of absorbing hockey.
The inspired performance by the Bangladesh keeper helped to avenge the hosts' 3-1 loss in their final preliminary game on Wednesday.
In front of a good holiday crowd Zahid, the old-town lad, produced a string amazing chances in the contest. His best moment being the penalty-stroke save off Jagdeep Kumar seconds before the final whistle in extra time.
The busy 20-year-old dived smartly to his right to deny the Indian stick-wielder.
Zahid set the tone in the nerve-wrecking five-hit drama blocking the first hit of Mayur Subbaia, which was followed, by a Rupinder Singh wide shot. The energetic Bangladeshi keeper later saved the last hit from Jagdeep to script a maiden success for the country's hockey, which has been going through the doldrums recently.
Earlier, the Bangladesh U-16 side finished runners-up in Singapore in 2003 and on home soil earlier this year.
Mostafizur Rahman Dinar, Mamunur Rahman, Russel Mahmud and Jimmy converted from the spot after captain Zahidul Islam Rajan was thwarted by Indian custodian Suraj Kanta.
Though Bangladesh coach Qamar Ibrahim was delighted on his first success, the former Pakistani international admittedly, was not getting carried away by the achievement in a five-nation tournament that also featured substandard teams like Afghanistan.
"Yes, I'm happy with the success but we still need to do a lot of work to improve the game's standard. I think more organising better tournaments and tours abroad will help Bangladesh raise its profile in the region," said Qamar, who took charge a month ago.
He however expressed his satisfaction over his charges' performance.
"I used a different strategy this time against the Indians and the boys responded brilliantly. Victory today was the result of teamwork and goalkeeper Zahid who stood out," he added.
Indian coach Mukesh blamed Bangladesh's excessive defensive tactics in the final that was shifted from Thursday to Friday after heavy rains waterlogged the turf.
"Asian teams like to play an attacking style but today Bangla-desh was totally defensive. Besides, playing the game in the morning affected my boys," said Mukesh, who questioned some umpiring decisions.
Perhaps the most relived person was none other than Shamsul Bari, who came in for criticism from different quarters over arranging low-grade meet that in the long run will not help promote the domestic game.
"I think beating India at any level always a good achievement," said the long-serving Bangladesh Hockey Federation general secretary gloating on the glory.
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