China 1-1 Bangladesh: Ashraful’s Penalty Stroke Earns Bangladesh a First Point at the ACT
Neither side has won a game at this Asian Champions Trophy. After Monday in Jalandhar, neither side has lost one either, at least not today. China and Bangladesh drew 1-1 in the final league day’s opener, a result that gave Bangladesh their first point of the tournament and sent both teams into Wednesday’s fifth-place playoff.
China struck first, and struck early. Benhai Chen, the man who rescued a point for China with a penalty corner in the final minute against Japan on Sunday, was at it again from the same set piece, converting in just the 2nd minute. It was the perfect start for a team still chasing a first win, and for a while it looked like it might be enough.
Bangladesh had other ideas. They had lost all four games coming into this one and scored just once all tournament, but they kept coming, and in the 38th minute Ashraful Islam levelled from a penalty stroke. It was only Bangladesh’s second goal of the tournament, and it was worth a point.
That is what the draw was worth to both sides, and nothing more. China finish the league stage in fifth on two points, from two draws and three defeats. Bangladesh finish sixth on one point, from one draw and four defeats. The consolation for both is immediate: they meet again on Wednesday at 1:30pm Pakistan time in Mohali, this time with fifth place on the line.
For China, the frustration is obvious. Two draws in two days, against Japan and Bangladesh, and still no win. For Bangladesh, this is something to build on at last. A point, a second goal, and a goalkeeper who was named Hero of the Match after keeping China at bay. Wednesday is their chance to turn a first point into a first win.
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