B'desh to play Malaysia in opener today

Bangladesh National Hockey team will play upper-ranked Malaysia in the opening match of AHF Men's Asian Indoor Hockey2019 at the Thai city of Chonburion today (Monday), reports UNB.

The match will kick off at 11:20 am (Bangladesh time).

Ahead of their first appearance in the Asian Indoor Hockey, Bangladesh Hockey team made one hour practice session under the supervision of their new Iranian head coach Hamid Reza BokhraiiKashi at the Chonburi Physical Indoor Gymnasium Sunday morning.

Coach Hamid Reza said all the players of his team are fully are fit and well-prepared for the opening match against Malaysia.

Earlier, Bangladesh have been placed on Pool A alongside holders Iran, Malaysia, another debutants the Philippines and hosts Thailand while Nepal, Myanmar, Chinese Taipei, Singapore, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan were placed in Group B.

In the remaining Pool A matches, Bangladesh will play holders Iran on July 16, the Philippines on July 17 and hosts Thailand in their last pool match on July 18, all in Chonburi.

Defending champions Iran are currently in the 4th slot in the FIH Men's Indoor Hockey world ranking while Malaysia is in 24th and Thailand in the 29th slot .

Earlier, a 15-member Bangladesh National Indoor Hockey Team, comprising 12 players and three officials, reached Thailand on Friday to compete in the Asian Indoor Hockey for the first time.