Published: 12:05 PM, 11 September 2026
Bangladesh's World Cup hopes hit a hurdle after loss to Japan
The Bangladesh Under-20 women's hockey team suffered defeated in the quarter-finals of the ongoing Junior Asia Cup in Moki, China on Thursday. In a highly competitive match, the Bangladeshi team lost 2-0 to a strong Japanese side. This defeat cost the team their chance of reaching the tournament's semi-finals.
Bangladesh had advanced to the knockout stage with great confidence after finishing as unbeaten champions in the group phase (Challenger Pool). Although they put up a spirited fight against Japan in the quarter-final, the 'Red and Green' team ultimately failed to score.
However, Bangladesh's campaign in the tournament is not over yet. The team will take the field the day after tomorrow (September 12, 2026) for their final placement match. Their opponents in this match will be either Malaysia or South Korea.
A victory in the upcoming match would secure fifth place for Bangladesh in the Junior Asia Cup. A loss would mean finishing in sixth place. Nevertheless, Head Coach Arif Ali still harbors hopes of qualifying for the World Cup.
Earlier, The Bangladesh women's hockey team has made history at the ongoing Under-21 Junior Asia Cup Hockey in Moki, Inner Mongolia, China. Maintaining their superb form in the tournament, the 'Red and Green' squad secured their fourth consecutive victory. In their final group stage match, Bangladesh trounced a strong Hong Kong China side by a massive 6-0 margin on Wednesday.
At the Morin Dawa Stadium in Moki, the Bangladeshi players dominated their opponents right from the start, keeping the Hong Kong defense under constant pressure with wave after wave of attacks. The breakthrough came in the 9th minute when captain Sharika Rimon put the team ahead 1-0 with a brilliant goal from a penalty corner.
Then began a flurry of field goals from the rest of the squad. In the 19th minute, Airin Akter Ria doubled the lead with an excellent field goal. Maintaining the attacking momentum, Kona Akter scored the team's third goal in the 26th minute. Bangladesh ended the first half with a commanding 3-0 lead.
The 'Tigresses' maintained their dominance in the second half as well. Mosammat Lima scored the team's fourth goal in the 31st minute. Just two minutes later, in the 33rd minute, Airin Ria netted her second and the team's fifth goal. In the 48th minute, Mosammat Lima drove the final nail into the coffin for Hong Kong, marking her own second goal of the match.
