Bangladesh began their maiden FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup campaign with a 5–3 defeat against a stronger Australia side at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai, India on Saturday.

Amirul Islam scored all three goals for Bangladesh but could not secure a winning start for the boys in red and green.

Will Oliver put Australia ahead in the opening minute, but Bangladesh responded well as Amirul netted the equalizer in the 14th minute. Australia dominated the second quarter with three goals to regain full control of the match. Amirul struck again in the 42nd minute, scoring the only goal of the third quarter.

Both teams found the net once in the fourth and final quarter, with Amirul completing his hat-trick in the 59th minute.

Australia’s other scorers were Grobbelaar Ian, Brick Dylan, Jackson Duncan and Stanger Daykin.

Bangladesh earned a total of 10 penalty corners compared to Australia’s three. All three of Amirul’s goals came from penalty corners. Australia converted two of their penalty corners, while their remaining three goals were field goals.

The tournament features 24 teams, divided into six pools of four. Bangladesh were placed in Pool F alongside France, Australia and the Republic of Korea.

The junior boys in red and green face Korea on Sunday before concluding their pool campaign against France on Tuesday.

The Under-21 tournament is being held across two cities—Chennai and Madurai.

This is the 14th edition of the Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup since its inception in 1979, and marks Bangladesh’s first-ever qualification for the tournament.