Bangladesh’s Strong AFC Run Ends in Heartbreak with Defeat to China

On Sunday at Tongliang Long Stadium, Bangladesh suffered a heavy 4-0 loss to hosts China in their final group match of the qualifiers, ending their campaign.

Despite showing flashes of promise against the hosts, multiple defensive errors proved costly for Golam Rabbani Choton’s side.

China took the lead as early as the 8th minute due to a blunder by goalkeeper Alif Rahman. A long diagonal from defender Jin Yuchen found Kuang Zhaoli, whose attempted back-pass deflected off Ikramul and rolled towards Alif. Before the keeper could gather the low ball, forward Shuai Weihau nipped in to slot home.

In the 18th minute, Bangladesh defender Ihsanul Habib Ridwan burst forward from midfield, beat several players and unleashed a fierce left-footed drive from inside the box, only for China keeper Kin Jiniu to dive and push it behind for a corner.

The 25th minute brought another scare when Shuai Weihau again slipped past the defence, but his low shot whistled just past the post.

Another defensive lapse in the 38th minute doubled China’s lead. Kamal Mridha, under no pressure near his own box, played a careless back-pass towards the distant Alif. Shuai Weihau pounced quickest to steal the ball and complete his brace.

Straight after the break, China made it 3-0. A long delivery from a right-side corner was met by an unmarked Shuai Weihau, who rose above three Bangladesh defenders to head in his hat-trick.

Two minutes from time, Zhao Songyuan added the fourth to seal a comprehensive 4-0 victory.

Bangladesh finish their qualifying campaign winless against the group’s strongest opponent and now head home with valuable lessons learned.

“From this match we gained experience. China is a very strong side, they play very high-pressing football. Playing against them helped us understand our actual level,” said Bangladesh U-17 captain Nazmul Huda Faisal in his immediate reaction after the game.

The defeat to China was almost expected, yet four consecutive wins in earlier matches had raised hopes. Victory would have opened the door to the AFC U-17 Asian Cup, but the young Bengals fell short in the decisive encounter.