Amirul hat-trick takes Bangladesh to semis with 6-1 thrashing of Uzbekistan 

Amirul Islam slotted home a hat-trick in a 6-1 thrashing of Uzbekistan as the Bangladesh U-21 hockey team qualified for the semis as Pool B champions in the Men's Junior AHF Cup with a 100 per cent record at the Sultan Qaboos Complex in Muscat, Oman on Sunday.

The men in red and green had already cemented their semi-final berth with back-to-back wins before coming back from behind against Uzbekistan in their final group-stage match to cruise to the next round.

The Uzbeks took the lead in the second quarter when Mahanino Abdusalom converted a penalty corner in the 17th minute.

Defender Amirul Islam then delivered a double-blow inside three minutes in the second quarter, firstly to level the score and then to take a 2-1 lead.

The floodgates had opened since then as Bangladesh two more in the third quarter, courtesy of field goals from Hasan Mohammad (32nd minute) and Mohammad Obaidul Haque Joy (38th minute). Joy netted another field goal in the last quarter before Amirul smartly converted a penalty corner in the 53rd minute to complete his hat-trick.

Bangladesh will take on Thailand or Chinese Taipei in the semi-final on Wednesday.