Photo: Collected

DHAKA, June 3, 2026 (BSS)-The Bangladesh men's national under-18 field hockey team failed to reach semi-final of the Men's U-18 Asia Cup when they suffered a 5-2 goals defeat to Pakistan in their crucial group match held in Kakamigahara, Japan today (Wednesday).

With this defeat, Bangladesh will now play 5th to 6th place classification match scheduled for Friday (June 5) while Pakistan advanced to the semi-final as Pool B runners-up.     

In the proceeding, Pakistan took the lead through a field goal early in the first quarter but the lead lasted for few minutes as Munna Islam restored the parity for Bangladesh converting a penalty corner in the 12th minute.

After a contesting goalless second quarter, Pakistan again went ahead in the third through a field goal in the 32nd minute but Bangladesh again bounced back to level the margin as Munna scored his second goal  converting another penalty corner in the 35th minute of the match.

Pakistan again took lead in the 39th minute converting a penalty stroke and made the score line 4-2 through a field goal in the 44th minute.  The winners’ sealed the victory scoring the fifth goal in the 59th minute of the match.
Earlier, the boys’ team began their campaign with a 4–2 win against Malaysia but later suffered a narrow 3–2 defeat to China.