Bangladesh lost 2-0 to China in their second group match of the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup on Saturday. The match took place at Nonthaburi Stadium in Thailand at 3 pm Bangladesh time.
Bangladesh impressed in the first half. Goalkeeper Mili Akter stood strong and kept China from scoring. She made several key saves and gave her team hope. China attacked from the start with wing play and long shots, but Mili stopped everything.
She saved five shots on target in the first half. One free kick was pushed away with her fingertips. Late in the half, a Chinese forward got a clear chance inside the box. Mili stayed calm and denied the goal. Her performance kept the score level.
Coach Peter Butler had shown faith in Mili earlier. He picked her ahead of regular goalkeeper Rupna Chakma in past matches. Mili once again proved his decision right.
Bangladesh had one chance near the end of the first half. Mosammat Sagorika took a shot, but the Chinese goalkeeper made an easy save. The team went into the break with confidence after holding China goalless.
But the second half started badly. China took the lead in the 47th minute. Zheng Yujie set up the move with a cutback pass. Yu Xingyi finished it with a strong shot.
Bangladesh tried to stay in the game. Mili continued her good form. In the 63rd minute, she made another big save from a powerful shot by Wang Aifang.
However, Bangladesh looked tired late in the match. Injuries also slowed them down. China used that moment well. In the 82nd minute, Wang Aifang scored from a free kick. Her low shot found the corner and sealed the result.
Bangladesh showed fight for most of the match. They held a strong side for a long time. But in the end, the score showed a clear defeat.
