Bangladesh in AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup for the first time

Sports Desk

Bangladesh have secured their place in the main draw of the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup for the first time after winning two of their three matches in Laos.
Peter Butler’s side advanced to the finals as the three best runners-up (top 11 teams) from eight groups of 32 teams. The 12-team tournament will be held in Thailand in April next year.

Bangladesh started their Group H campaign with big wins over hosts Laos and Timor-Leste, but their fate was thrown into doubt on Sunday when they lost 6-1 to two-time champions and group winners South Korea in their final match.

However, at the end of the day, Lebanon’s losses to China in Group ‘E’ and Kyrgyzstan’s losses to Vietnam in Group ‘B’ ensured their place in the main round.

With this success, the U-20 team repeated the feat of the senior women’s team, which also secured a place in the 2026 Asian Cup to be held in Australia in July, led by Afida Khandaker and coached by Butler.

The U-20 team entered the continental finals as the reigning SAFF champions, having gone undefeated in six matches at home.