Despite taking a 2-1 lead, Bangladesh suffered a 3-2 defeat to hosts China in their opening Pool B match of the AHF Men’s Junior (U-20) Asia Cup 2026 in China on Friday.

China took the lead in the sixth minute through a penalty corner, but Bangladesh responded quickly, with Md Islam scoring a field goal to restore parity.

Mahadey Hassan then put Bangladesh ahead in the 26th minute with another field goal, giving the side a 2-1 lead at second quarter.

China, however, fought back in the next quarter, drawing level in the 44th minute through another penalty corner before SUN Jingran scored from a field goal in the 53rd minute to complete the hosts’ comeback and deny Bangladesh at least a point.

Bangladesh will play Malaysia in their next Pool B match on September 6 before facing Kazakhstan and Pakistan on September 8 and 9, respectively.

Bangladesh are targeting at least a sixth-place finish in the 10-team tournament, which would secure qualification for the forthcoming FIH Men’s Junior (U-21) World Cup.

This is Bangladesh’s ninth appearance in the Junior Asia Cup. Their best performance in the competition came in 1996, when they reached the semifinals.