Bangladesh’s women’s football team suffered a second consecutive defeat, losing 6-0 to South Korea, while the men’s hockey team also went down 5-0 to the same opponents at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
The women’s cricket team, meanwhile, reached the semifinals without facing a ball as their quarterfinal against China was abandoned due to persistent rain in Nagoya.
Football
Following a record 10-0 defeat to North Korea in their opening match, Bangladesh suffered another heavy loss, going down 6-0 to South Korea in their second Group F match of the women’s football event at the 20th Asian Games on Thursday at Nagai Stadium in Osaka.
Bangladesh coach Peter Butler made several changes to his starting XI against South Korea, bringing back Rituporna Chakma, Monika Chakma, Rupna Chakma and Shamsunnahar.
However, the changes failed to produce the desired result as South Korea dominated proceedings throughout the one-sided encounter.
The Asian powerhouse scored twice in the first half before adding four more goals after the break.
South Korea enjoyed around 75% possession and took 20 shots, 13 of which were on target, while Bangladesh managed just one shot on target throughout the match.
Kim Minji put South Korea ahead in the 16th minute before Jeong Dabin doubled the lead in the 42nd minute, sending the Koreans into the break with a 2-0 advantage.
Substitute Choe Yuri scored South Korea’s third goal in the 65th minute, while Ji Soyun added the fourth in the 77th.
South Korea struck again two minutes later through Seoulgi Hyun before Yoojin Ko completed the rout by scoring the sixth goal in the first minute of added time.
Bangladesh will play their final group match against Myanmar on Monday.
Cricket
Bangladesh reached the semifinals of the women’s cricket event after their quarterfinal against China was abandoned due to rain.
The match was scheduled to be played at Korygi Athletic Park in Nisshin, but the wet outfield made play impossible.
The captains did not even come out for the toss.
Bangladesh secured a place in the last four by virtue of their higher ICC T20I ranking. Bangladesh are ranked 10th in the world, while China are 37th.
Rain-hit weather had also prevented Bangladesh from completing full training sessions in the days leading up to the match.
Under the tournament rules, a Super Over could have been used to determine the result if a 20-over match was not possible.
However, continued rain ruled out that option as well, and the teams’ T20I rankings were used to decide the outcome.
The match would have marked Bangladesh’s first international T20I against China.
Bangladesh had previously defeated China by nine wickets after bowling them out for 34 in seven overs in the 2010 Asian Games semifinals, but that match did not have international recognition.
Bangladesh will face the winner of the India-Japan quarterfinal in the semifinals.
Bangladesh have previously won two silver medals and one bronze medal in women’s cricket at the Asian Games.
Hockey
Bangladesh began their Asian Games hockey campaign with a 5-0 defeat to South Korea at Kawasaki Juko Stadium on Friday.
South Korea took control early and led 3-0 at halftime, with all three goals coming in the second quarter. The winners added one goal each in the third and fourth quarters to complete a comfortable victory.
Bangladesh will face Japan in their second match on Tuesday, while the women’s hockey team will begin their campaign against China on Sunday.