Bangladesh have moved a step closer to the AFC U17 Asian Cup finals with a hard-earned 2–1 win over Bahrain, extending their perfect run to four victories from four matches in the qualifiers.

Playing on Friday at the Tongliang Long Stadium in China, Golam Rabbani Choton’s side delivered a dominant second-half performance to remain top of Group A with 12 points.

The breakthrough came in the 59th minute when Bayezid Bostami pounced on a loose clearance after a long throw from Sabbir Islam caused chaos in the Bahrain box.

Bostami kept his composure, drilling a low strike through traffic to put Bangladesh ahead.

The lead doubled in the 72nd minute through Md Manik, who unleashed a fine long-range effort after being picked out by a clever through-ball from captain Nazmul Huda Faisal.

Bahrain pulled one back in the 85th minute via Hussain Zuhair, but despite a late surge, they could not find an equaliser as Bangladesh’s back line held firm.

Bangladesh have been in imperious form throughout the campaign, having opened with a 5–0 win over Timor-Leste, followed by an 8–0 rout of Brunei, and a 5–0 victory against Sri Lanka to take control of the group.

In Friday’s early exchanges, Faisal, Rifat Kazi and Apu Rahman all carved out promising chances but failed to convert.

Rifat twice went close again in the second half, in the 65th and 68th minutes, only to be denied by the Bahrain goalkeeper, before Manik’s strike ultimately tilted the contest decisively Bangladesh’s way.

With four wins from four, Choton’s team now face hosts China on Sunday in what promises to be a high-stakes showdown — one that could secure Bangladesh’s return to the continental stage.