Bangladesh's dream of qualifying for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup finals ended in disappointment as the boys in red and green suffered a 4-0 defeat to favourites China in their final Group A match -- a loss made heavier by two gifted goals.
Shuai Weihao netted a clinical hattrick before substitute Zhao Songyuan applied the finishing touch, shattering Bangladesh's hopes of returning to the finals for the first time since 2006.
Having travelled to China with high ambitions, the young Bangladesh side fuelled belief with four consecutive victories -- 5-0 against Timor-Leste, 8-0 against Brunei, 5-0 against Sri Lanka and 2-1 against Bahrain. Those performances raised hopes of a spirited challenge against a dominant Chinese side who entered the final match with four wins and a staggering 38 goals. Yet Bangladesh failed to maintain their momentum when it mattered most.
From early on, defensive lapses and nervous decision-making made the task easier for China. Captain-cum-midfielder Kuang Zhaolei tormented the Bangladesh backline with incisive through balls, while forward Weihao's sharp finishing exposed the frailties of the Bangladesh defence.
The opening goal arrived in the eighth minute following a moment of indecision. Goalkeeper Alif Rahman appeared casual as he waited to collect a low cross from Zhaolei that had taken a slight deflection off Kamal Merdha. Weihao surged forward, accelerating past Alif to tap home from close range.
Bangladesh struggled to respond as individuals attempted to shine rather than combining as a unit. Their only real threat in the first half came in the 18th minute, when Ihsan Habib Riduan's powerful left-footed effort was brilliantly tipped away by Chinese goalkeeper Qin Ziniu.
The second blow came in the 38th minute, and it was entirely self-inflicted. An inexplicable back pass from Kamal Merdha fell straight to Weihao, who made no mistake in doubling China's lead.
After the break, China maintained control and extended the margin. Weihao completed his hattrick with a well-directed header in the 53rd minute, before Songyuan sealed the 4-0 win with an angled strike inside the box in the 89th minute.
"China are a strong team who play at a higher level than us. But we have learned where we currently stand and what level we must reach in the future," captain Faisal said after the match.
Echoing his captain, head coach Golam Rabbani Choton said, "China are ahead of us technically, tactically, physically and mentally. Our boys made some silly mistakes, but they tried their best. They have been together for two years and will grow from this experience."
