Bangladesh qualified for the AFC Women's U-20 Asian Cup for the first time despite suffering a crushing 6-1 defeat to South Korea in their final Group H fixture of the qualifiers at the Lao National Stadium KM16 in Vientiane on Sunday.
Bangladesh earned their place as one of the three best runners-up across the eight qualifying groups as the tournament will feature eight group champions and three best runners-up, alongside hosts Thailand.
Bangladesh, who earlier defeated Laos 3-1 and Timor-Leste 8-0 finished as group runners-up behind South Korea, who earlier defeated Laos 1-0 and Timor-Leste 9-0.
Apart from Bangladesh, Group C runners-up Chinese Taipei and the Group G runners-up Jordan have also qualified for the finals to be held in Thailand from April 1 to 18 next year.
With the day鈥檚 feat, Bangladesh secured their second consecutive maiden spot in the continental tournament in less than two-month after the senior team secured maiden entry to the AFC Women鈥檚 Asian Cup 2026 in Australia.
Bangladesh defeated Bahrain and Turkmenistan by identical 7-0 margin and hosts Myanmar 2-1 in the qualifiers in June-July on their route to Australia.
In the day鈥檚 play, Bangladesh made a bright start, launching the first attack of the game when forward Sagorika broke through in the opening minute, but her effort was thwarted by an onrushing Korean goalkeeper.
Bangladesh struck first in the 15th minute. A swift counter saw Sagorika and Shanti Mardi exchange passes before Shanti squared the ball from the left side of the box.
It slipped under the Korean keeper鈥檚 hands, allowing Trishna Rani to tap into the empty net, sparking wild celebrations from Bangladeshi expatriates in the stands.
But the joy was short-lived. Just four minutes later, a long ball over Bangladesh鈥檚 high defensive line set the Korean forwards free, as forward Lee Haeun levelled the margin.
Korea grew in dominance thereafter, forcing captain Afeida Khandaker and goalkeeper Swarna Rani into several key interventions.
In first-half stoppage time, Swarna bravely rushed off her line to block a certain goal, while the Koreans also wasted multiple chances.
The second half, however, belonged entirely to the Koreans. Bangladesh鈥檚 defensive line repeatedly crumbled under sustained pressure.
Captain Cho Hyeyoung restored Korea鈥檚 lead in the 48th minute and doubled her tally in the 60th, capitalising on another long-ball lapse.
The floodgates opened in the final minutes. Lee scored her second by converted a penalty in the 87th minute before completing her hat-trick with a free header in the 90th minute. Jin Hyerin completed the rout deep into stoppage time.
It was Bangladesh鈥檚 first defeat in eight games Since July 11.
