Amirul’s fourth hattrick powers Bangladesh past Korea

Penalty corner specialist Amirul Islam scored yet another hattrick as Bangladesh came from 2-0 down to beat South Korea 5-3 in a thrilling classification match of the FIH Men's Junior Hockey World Cup on Saturday.

Amirul, the tournament's leading scorer, extended his tally with his fourth hattrick of the competition, guiding Bangladesh into the final of the Rising Stars Trophy (17th-place playoff) in their penultimate match at the Madurai International Hockey Stadium. The men in red and green will face Austria on Monday for the title.

The prolific drag-flicker has now scored 15 goals in the tournament — 14 from penalty corners — giving him a commanding six-goal lead over his nearest challenger. He had also netted a hattrick when Bangladesh fought back from three goals down to draw 3-3 against the same opposition in the group stage.

Photo: AHF

On Saturday, Korea's Lee Minhyeok, who scored twice in that earlier meeting, put his team 2-0 up by the 20th minute. But Amirul responded in spectacular fashion, scoring in the 21st and 24th minutes from penalty corners, before completing his hattrick from a penalty stroke in the 35th minute to give Bangladesh the lead for the first time.

Obidul Islam Joy extended the advantage with a field goal in the 52nd minute, but Minhyeok completed his own hattrick a minute later to keep Korea in the contest. However, Rakibul Hasan sealed the victory with a field goal in the final minute, ensuring Bangladesh finished with a two-goal cushion.