Bangladesh made a stunning start to their AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualifying campaign, demolishing Timor-Leste 5–0 in their opening match at the Tongliang Long Stadium in China. From the first whistle, Golam Rabbani’s young side displayed precision, energy and tactical maturity—qualities that had been missing in previous youth campaigns.
Bangladesh wasted little time asserting control. Their midfield pressed high, the wingers stretched the defence, and the forwards continuously threatened the opposition backline. The result was a dominant first half in which Bangladesh scored three goals, effectively sealing the match long before the break. The second half saw the young boys add two more, turning the victory into an emphatic statement of intent.
Mohammad Manik emerged as the standout performer, netting a brilliant brace. His positioning, pace and finishing showcased a maturity beyond his age. The other goals came from Rifaat Kazi, Bayezid Bostami and Akash Ahmed—each demonstrating Bangladesh’s newfound attacking depth. Beyond the scoreline, the fluid passing, off-the-ball movement and organised defensive structure reflected the team’s significant progress over recent months.
Bangladesh find themselves in a challenging group alongside hosts China, Bahrain, Brunei and Sri Lanka. Timor-Leste were considered one of the more manageable opponents, but such a commanding win sends a clear message to the rest of the group. The next match—against Brunei on Monday—now becomes an opportunity to consolidate momentum before the tougher fixtures ahead.
The qualification format allows only group champions and a select number of best runners-up to progress to next year’s U-17 Asian Cup, set to take place in Saudi Arabia with 16 participating teams. Nine teams have already secured qualification, while the remaining seven will come through this ongoing qualifying phase. For Bangladesh, every goal and every point matters, and today’s performance was a major step towards their objective.
Historically, Bangladesh’s record at this level has been modest. They have featured twice in the U-17 Asian Cup and four times in the U-16 edition, but never progressed beyond the group stage. Their last qualification came in 2006, where they unfortunately lost all three group matches. In 2020, they qualified again through the qualifiers, but the main tournament was cancelled due to the pandemic. In 2014, Bangladesh withdrew, citing financial and logistical issues.
Yet today’s commanding win suggests a new chapter may be unfolding. The team’s structure, discipline and confidence point to a side ready to challenge long-standing limitations. For the players, coaches and supporters, this victory is more than just three points—it is a signal that Bangladesh’s youth football is evolving with renewed ambition.