December 3, 2003	Wednesday	Shawwal 8, 1424

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KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2: Bangladesh opened their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-20 Championship, Malaysia 2004 campaign when they defeated Pakistan 1-0 on Tuesday in a Group 5 qualifier.

A 61st minute goal by Akbar Hossain Ridon was the difference between the sides, both chasing the solitary qualifying spot for next year’s finals in Malaysia.

Pakistan will have a chance to redeem themselves and avoid elimination from the 3-team group when they next face Nepal on Wednesday.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, need a win in their last match against Nepal to book their qualifying spot.

A total of 15 teams from 15 groups in the qualifying rounds will join host Malaysia in next year’s AFC U-20 Championship. Korea Republic are the defending champions.

Teams that have qualified for the finals are Qatar, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Uzbekistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Japan, and China.—PPI