Bangladesh finished runners-up in Group A of the SAFF Under-20 Championship when they lost to hosts Nepal 2-1 in their second and final group game at the ANFA Complex in Lalitpur on Thursday.
Earlier, Bangladesh and Nepal both confirmed their semi-final berths with wins against eliminated group opponent Sri Lanka by 2-0 and 1-0, respectively.
So, in the game to decide who wins the group, Nepal surged 2-0 up in one minute thanks to a gaffe by Bangladesh goalkeeper Mehdi Hasan Srabon and an own goal by midfielder Mohsin Ahmed.
Nepal took the lead after a quick counter-attack following a corner in the 17th minute, with Srabon off guarding his post in the centre circle before striker Samir Tamang stole the ball and placed it into an open net.
The visitors were two goals down a minute later, with Mohsin putting the ball into his own net while trying to clear midfielder Niraj Karki鈥檚 cross.
Bangladesh returned to the game once in the 43rd minute when substitute forward Mirajul Islam made no mistake to convert the spot kick.
Nepal defenders Ram Thapa and Ashwin Ghorasainee sandwiched Mirajul to stop inside the box, and the referee Naseer Afsheen called for the penalty.
In the second half, Bangladesh tried their best to stage a fightback, creating several chances, but failed to convert any goal in the remaining proceeding.
Bangladesh will play Group B champions in the second semi-final of the six-team tournament on Monday, a day after Nepal play the other semi-final against Group B runners-up at the same venue.