Bangladesh made a dismal start in the AFC Under-17 Asian Cup 2025 qualifiers when they lost to 10-man Cambodia 1-0 in their Group B opener at the National Sports Complex in Phnom Penh on Saturday.
After the barren first half, forward Daro Thach scored the match winner five minutes from the stipulated time for the hosts, who were reduced to a 10-man in the 25th minute when defender Visal Kea received his second yellow card on a foul on debutant Arham Islam.
Arham, the Australia-based Bangladeshi forward, gave the Cambodian defenders a torrid time.
Cambodia could have taken an early lead in the eighth minute, while Bangladesh missed a couple of chances in the first half.
Bangladesh were desperately looking to get the lead in the second half and even missed out on two close chances in the stoppage time of the game.
Saiful Bari Titu鈥檚 charges will face the Philippines on October 23 before playing Macau and Afghanistan on October 25 and 27, respectively, in their other group matches.
The 10 group winners and the five best runners-up of the competition will qualify for the finals to be held in Saudi Arabia.聽聽
