Bangladesh's bid to qualify for the finals of the AFC U-20 Championship after 20 years went one step ahead when the boys in red and green handed a 2-1 defeat to Bhutan in their qualifying match in Bahrain on Monday. 

Bangladesh are now on top of the table with four points, one more than Bhutan while Bahrain occupy the third position with one point. Qatar are scheduled to open their campaign by taking on Nepal in the day's second match. 

Forward Piash Ahmed Nova gave Bangladesh a 33-minute lead, only to be cancelled out by Bhutanese substitute forward Santa Kumar Limboo at the hour mark. The game was headed for a stalemate but substitute Ashraful Haque Asif nodded home from close range in the dying minutes to seal Bangladesh's first victory following a goalless draw against hosts Bahrain on Saturday night.

Bangladesh's Ashraful Haque (R) Asif strikes the winner. Photo: BFF

Following getting boosted by a creditable result against a superior Bahrain, Bangladesh kicked off proceedings well against Bhutan, who came into the match on the back of a 2-0 win over Nepal.

The charges of Rashed Ahmed Pappu applied huge pressure from the beginning but the lack of composure in the attacking third left Bangladesh frustrated. As the game progressed, Bangladesh lost control of possession in midfield as the Bhutanese midfielders exchanged crisp passes.

Bangladesh first came close to taking the lead from a counter-attack with Rafiqul Islam running down the right flank to whip a cross for Nova who, however, ended up heading the ball straight to goalkeeper Dorji Gyelsthen in the 25th minute. 

Eight minutes later, Bangladesh broke the deadlock through another counter. This time they pierced through the midfield with Moinul Islam putting a forward pass to Rafiqul, who then darted into the right-hand box before releasing a low cross for Nova. The Bangladesh forward did not mistake to slide it into the net and the Bangladeshi expatriates at the gallery were sent into raptures. 

Four minutes from the break, goalkeeper Shanto Kumar Roy frustrated Sonam Jugdrul, who drove a powerful left-footer outside the box.

Shanto, however, could not save Bangladesh from conceding the equaliser after two defenders made fumbles to pave the way for substitute Santa Kumar, who raced past one Bangladeshi defender to hit the far post with a low right-footed shot inside the box.

Afterwards, Bangladesh brought four changes and those worked well to regain the lead and seal a crucial win as substitute Ashraful headed a mistimed bicycle-kick by captain Tanvir Ahmed in the 89th minute following a Shahin Ahmed corner-kick.