Bangladesh’s U-17 team took control of the match early, scoring three first-half goals to firmly seize the driver’s seat.
Timor-Leste’s resistance first broke in the 11th minute, when Rifat Kazi put Bangladesh ahead with a well-placed header. Before the break, the lead grew by two more goals. In the second half, they added two more to seal a dominant victory, giving Golam Rabbani Choton’s team a perfect start to the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers.
At China’s Tongliang Long Stadium on Saturday, Bangladesh defeated Timor-Leste 5–0. Mohammad Manik struck twice, while the other three goals came from Rifat, Bayezeed Bostami, and Akash Ahmed.
In their second Group A match, Bangladesh will face Brunei on Monday.
The opening goal arrived in the 11th minute when a cross from Mohammad Manik picked out Rifat Kazi on the left, who headed home with precision. In the 28th minute, captain Najmul Huda Faisal delivered a free kick that eventually fell to Manik, who doubled the lead.
Just before halftime, Bangladesh extended the margin once more as Manik found the net again from inside a crowded box.
Early in the second half, Bayezeed Bostami made it 4–0 after receiving a pass from Azad. Near the end of the match, in the 88th minute, Akash sealed the emphatic win with a powerful strike from distance.
