Bangladesh will take on Korea Republic in a crucial match of the AFC Under-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers in Laos Sunday.
It will be the last match of the qualifying campaign for both sides.
The winner will progress to the tournament finals as group champion.
Bangladesh are currently leading Group H by virtue of goals scored.
Both Bangladesh and South Korea have six points each after winning their respective first two matches. The goal difference is also the same.
Bangladesh are ahead in goals for which is the determining factor when goal-difference is the same.
The equation would make Bangladesh the group winner as well as qualified for the finals if the match ends in a draw.
Peter Butler’s side will still have a chance if they lose the game.
A total of 12 teams including the automatically qualified host nation Thailand will play in the U-20 Asian Cup 2026.
The group champions and top three runners-up of the eight groups will qualify for the final competition.
Bangladesh can also progress if they finish among the top three runners-up.
Afeida Khandaker and Co hence have a good opportunity to qualify even if they lose to Korea by small margin, and if the favourites of the other groups win their last matches on the final day of qualifiers.
The match will be held at Laos National Stadium in Vientiane.
Bangladesh earlier defeated hosts Laos 3-1 before crushing Timor-Leste 8-0 in their first two group encounters.
The match against South Korea is expected to be Bangladesh’s toughest fixture in the qualifiers.
