After the heartbreak, Bangladesh’s U-23 boys finally found a bittersweet ending.
Bangladesh’s hopes of qualifying for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup had already ended after back-to-back defeats in their first two matches. But the young Tigers managed to close their campaign on a positive note, sealing a 4-1 victory over Singapore in their final Group C clash on Tuesday at the Viet Tri Stadium in Vietnam.
Singapore had a few chances in the first half but failed to convert, while Bangladesh came out stronger after the break.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 70th minute when Fahmidul unleashed a stunning strike from nearly 25 yards out to put Bangladesh ahead. Just two minutes later, Al Amin doubled the lead.
In the 80th minute, after defending a corner, Bangladesh launched a swift counterattack. Mohsin Ahmed received a cross inside the box and finished clinically to make it 3-0. Only two minutes later, Sheikh Morsalin scored with a powerful shot from just outside the penalty area, stretching the lead to 4-0.
In added time, Nadim Rahim scored a consolation goal for Singapore, ending the match 4-1.
Earlier in the tournament, Bangladesh had lost 2-0 to Vietnam in their opener and then suffered a 1-0 defeat to Yemen courtesy of a last-minute goal — a loss that ultimately knocked them out of contention for the main round.
For the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup, 11 group winners and the four best runners-up will join hosts Saudi Arabia in the final stage scheduled for January 2026.
Bangladesh’s journey this time was better compared to the 2024 qualifiers, where they lost all three group-stage matches against Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines, finishing at the bottom of their group.
This time, at least, they earned a consolation victory and secured third place in the group.
Meanwhile, Vietnam top Group C with 6 points from two straight wins, followed by Yemen in second. The two sides are set to face each other later today in a clash that will decide the group winner.
