Bangladesh began their AFC Under-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers campaign with a crushing 4-0 loss to Syria at the Lach Tray Stadium, Hai Phong, Vietnam, on Saturday.
Maruful Haque鈥檚 troops conceded two goals in each half of the game, which was delayed by around an hour owing to rain.
Bangladesh went one goal down in the very fifth minute of the game as Syrian forward Kawa Issa scored before another forward, Youshaa Knaj, doubled the margin seven minutes later.
Substitute forward Wessam Dukhan and forward Anas Dahhan scored the other goals in the 72nd and 80th minutes, respectively.
In the day鈥檚 other Group A match at the same venue, Bhutan and Guam played an 1-1 draw.
In their remaining group matches, Bangladesh will face Guam on Monday before facing hosts Vietnam and Bhutan on September 27 and 29, respectively.
The 10-group winners and five best runners-up of the 45-team qualifiers tournament will join hosts China in the 16-team final stage to be held from February 6 to 23, 2025.
