Bangladesh Olympic team began their 2020 AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers campaign with a 1-0 loss against host Bahrain at Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Isa Town Friday night.
Bahrain took the lead in the 20th minute and held on till the final whistle, despite a valiant fight by the men in red and green.
In the other Group B encounter at the same venue, Palestine blanked Sri Lanka 9-0.
The 11 group champions and four best runners-up sides will qualify for the final round, scheduled to be hosted by Thailand next year in January.
Bangladesh have never crossed the first hurdle since this tournament’s inception in 2012.
In the previous 11 matches in this tournament, Bangladesh have never won and their best result (0-0) came against India four years ago.
Jamie Day’s charges will face Palestine and Sri Lanka in their other Group B matches Sunday and Tuesday respectively.
RESULTS
Bahrain U-23 1 0 Bangladesh U-23
Palestine U-23 9 0 Sri Lanka U-23
