The second day of the Hero Asia Cup 2025 in Rajgir, Bihar, provided thrilling hockey action with a high volume of goals and closely contested games. On Saturday, August 30, two matches in Pool B delivered exciting results, with Bangladesh and Malaysia securing victories. Bangladesh showcased a dominant performance, scoring an impressive 8 goals, while Malaysia pulled off an upset against Korea in a tightly fought match. The two matches combined saw 16 goals, delighting fans in attendance.
The first match of the day on Saturday featured Bangladesh and Chinese Taipei. The first half concluded with both teams level at 2-2, with Chinese Taipei putting up a spirited fight and surprising Bangladesh. However, the Bangladesh team, replacing Pakistan in the tournament, took charge and began scoring freely. Bangladesh scored six goals in the second half, securing a remarkable 8-3 win.
The second match in the same pool presented a more competitive atmosphere, culminating in an upset. The match between Korea and Malaysia was highly anticipated, and it lived up to expectations. The first half ended with both teams at 1-1, with the expectation that the final moments would decide the outcome. However, Malaysia completely changed the flow of the game after the break. They consistently attacked the Korean goal, scoring multiple goals in the second half, and ultimately won the match with a score of 4-1.
Attention now turns to ‘Super Sunday’ on August 31st, where Pool A matches are scheduled. The most anticipated game will be between host India and Japan. Both teams had strong starts in the tournament. India emerged victorious in a thrilling match against China with a score of 4-3, while Japan dominated its opening match, winning 7-0. The second game of the day will feature China against Kazakhstan.