Bangladesh shows great performance at start of AHF Cup 

Defending champions Bangladesh national men's hockey beat Kyrgyzstan by 5-1 goals in their pool B opening match held in Jakarta, Indonesia on Friday.

The men in red and green won the AHF Cup title in the last four editions in 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2022 respectively, will play their second match against Indonesia on Sunday (April 20).

Bangladesh will play their remaining two group matches against Thailand and Sri Lanka on April 22 and 23 respectively.

After the barren first quarter, Bangladesh took the lead in the 24th minute when Asharaful Islam scored the first goal converting a penalty corner in the 24th minute but the lead last for few minutes when Agymtay restored the party for Kazakhstan also from a penalty corner in the 30th minute of the match.

Bangladesh again went ahead as Naim Uddin and Rakibul Hasan scored two goals in the 38th and 39th minutes respectively and Shohanur Rahman Sobuj and further widened Bangladesh margin in the third quarter scoring the fourth goal in the 44th minute.

Ashraful sealed the victory scoring his second and fifth goal for Bangladesh in the 59th minute of the match.

Sohanur Rahman Sobuj of Bangladesh was named the player of the match for his impressive performance in the match.