AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers
Published: 10:52 AM, 08 September 2026
Bangladesh end campaign with crushing defeat against India
Bangladesh’s AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifying campaign came to an end with a 3-0 crushing defeat to India in their final Group B qualifier at the Do’stlik Stadium in Tashkent on Sunday.
The defeat means, Bangladesh finished bottom of the four-team group without scoring a single goal. Bangladesh had earlier lost against Uzbekistan (2-0) and Syria (3-0) in their opening two matches.
Meanwhile, with the win, India have ended a 20-year wait for a return to the AFC U20 Asian Cup after the Blue Colts secured qualification with a convincing 3-0 win over Bangladesh.
Nazmul Faysal had a great opportunity to put Bangladesh ahead in the 18th minute after a spirited run down the right, but the midfielder’s weak shot was easily collected by custodian Suraj Singh.
India’s Danny Laishram, however, made no mistake in his one-on-one with Raj Chowdhury in the 25th minute, sliding the ball through the onrushing custodian’s legs after being laid up by Hatteem Faruq Ali.
India continued to control the tempo after the break, but created limited chances until the 60th minute, when Vishal Yadav’s overhead kick zoomed past a slow-to-react Chowdhury and came to rest in the left corner.
They put the match beyond Bangladesh’s reach in the 79th minute after Safiul Hossain took advantage of a poor clearance by captain Abdul Rihad Fahim to crash his shot onto the underside of the bar and beyond the lunging keeper.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan defeated Syria 3-0 to close with a perfect three-match run in Group B of the the AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers on Sunday.
The 2023 champions will play in their third successive Finals after finishing three points clear of India, who beat Bangladesh 3-0 in the earlier fixture and are poised to make their first appearance since 2006.
Uzbekistan put their starting dominance to good effect in the 10th minute when Diyor Ermanov outmuscled Syria striker Ahmad Khalaf to head into the top left corner following a free-kick by Kuvonchbel Abraev.
A fumble by Syria’s Hadi Esmail in the 34th minute almost enabled Ulugbek Maratov to extend the Central Asian side’s lead, but the custodian recovered in time to close a first half that saw Uzbekistan in charge but unable to convert their chances.
Uzbekistan continued to push forward after the break, with Abraev almost finding a way through in the 76th minute from the left but the striker held on too long to the ball to miss his chance.
Abraev finally made good in the 81st minute when he side-stepped defender Amer Ammar and from outside the area, neatly placed his shot between a diving Esmail and the left post.
A handball by Joseph Dalal earned Uzbekistan a penalty five minutes into injury time, which Davron Tulaganov converted with ease to cap a hard-fought win.
