Bangladesh Under-21 hockey team鈥檚 dream of a semi-final berth in the Men鈥檚 Junior Asia Cup 2024 was dashed when they were held to a 1-1 draw by China in their final Pool B match at the Al Amerat Hockey Stadium in Muscat, Oman, on Sunday.
Though Bangladesh鈥檚 hoped for a final-four spot were dashed, their dream of qualifying for the FIH Hockey Men鈥檚 Junior World Cup for the first time remained alive, as the top six teams from this competition will advance to the Junior World Cup.
On Tuesday, Bangladesh will play Thailand, who finished fourth in Pool A, in one of the two fifth-to-eighth place deciders, while China will face South Korea, who finished fourth in Pool A.
A win over Thailand will put Bangladesh in the Junior Hockey World Cup 2025 to be held in India.
Against China, Bangladesh got the lead in the 41st minute when Mohammad Ali scored a field goal while Yubo Wang restored the parity scoring from the penalty corner in the 45th minute.
Bangladesh finished with five points from four games, including a 2-2 draw against Malaysia after a 6-0 loss to Pakistan and a 3-1 victory against Oman in their first encounter.
Pakistan (12 points) and Malaysia (seven points) advanced to the semi-finals as Pool B winners and runners-up, respectively. Pakistan defeated Malaysia 4-1 in the day鈥檚 other Pool B final match.