National hockey team beats U-20 side 9-2 in third practice match

Bangladesh national hockey team defeated the U-20 side by 9-2 goals in their third practice match held on Wednesday at Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium.
Despite the big margin of victory, national team head coach Peter Gerhard placed greater emphasis on his players' mental strength, patience and ability to handle difficult situations during the match.
The U-20 team are also preparing for the upcoming Junior Asia Cup, making the fixture a useful test of the strengths and weaknesses of both sides.
After the match, Gerhard said he is satisfied with the team's progress but stressed the need for his players to play with greater composure and control.
He also said matches against different opponents are helping the national team build confidence and gain valuable experience compared with regular 11-a-side training games among themselves.
However, after playing three consecutive matches against the U-20 side, Gerhard said he was now looking for stronger opposition to further test his players.
The national team plans to step up training in the coming days as they seek to maintain their momentum and confidence ahead of the upcoming Asian Games.     -BSS