DHAKA, March 15, 2022 (BSS)- Defender Ashraful Islam 
slammed a brilliant hat-trick saw Bangladesh confirmed 
their spot of semifinal as the first team as they came 
from behind, beat Iran by 6-2 goals in their third Pool 
B match of the ongoing Men's AHF Cup Hockey held today 
(Tuesday) at the GBK Hockey Field in Jakarta, Indonesia.

   Apart from Ashraful's hat-trick with three goals, 
defender Khorshedur Rahman, forward Milon Hossain and 
midfielder Roman Sarkar scored one goal each for 
Bangladesh, according to a message received here from 
Bangladesh Hockey Federation.

   Though Iran took the early lead in the 4th minute 
through a field goal, but their lead lasted for few 
minutes when Ashraful leveled the margin scoring the 
first goal for Bangladesh converting a penalty corner in 
the 9th minute in the first quarter of the match.

   In the second quarter, Ashraful put Bangladesh ahead 
scoring his second goal from a penalty corner in the 
29th minute.

   Bangladesh completely dominated the third goal 
quarter scoring three more goals as Khorsedur further 
increased the margin in the converting a penalty corner 
in the 34th minute, Milon joined the party scoring the 
fourth goal for Bangladesh in the 36th minute and 
Ashraful completed his hat-trick goal, fifth for the 
team, converting penalty corner in the 39th minute of 
the match.

   Roman Sarkar sealed the victory scoring the sixth 
goal for Bangladesh converting penalty corner in the 
53rd minute of the match. 

   Ashraful was named the player of the match for his 
impressive performance.

   Bangladesh are placed in the Pool B and will play 
last match against Oman on Thursday March 17).

   Earlier, Bangladesh got off to an auspicious start as 
they crushed host Indonesia by 7-2 goals in their 
tournament opening match and dumped Singapore by 7-0 
goals in their second match.

   Bangladesh is the champion of the last three editions 
of this tournament and also looking forward to defend 
the title for the fourth occasion.

   The tournament is also the qualifying event for the 
next edition of the Asia Cup.

   Bangladesh squad:

   Goalkeepers: Biplob Kujur, Abu Sayeed Nippon; 
Defenders: Rezaul Karim Babu, Farhd Ahmed Shitul, 
Khorshedur Rahman, Ashraful Islam, Mehedi Hasan, Sohanur 
Rahman Sabuz; Midfielders: Sarwar Hossain, Fazle Hossain 
Rabbi, Naim Uddin, Prince Lal Samanta, Roman Sarkar; 
Forwards: Rasel Mahmud Jimmy, Milon Hossain, Pushkor 
Khisha Mimo, Arshad Hossain, Deen Islam Emon, Rakibul 
Hasan Roki(Jr), Mahabub Hossain.