U-20s target Uzbek upset

Bangladesh’s bid to qualify for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup finals faces its biggest test when the men in red and green take on 2023 champions Uzbekistan in their Group B qualifying opener at Do'stlik Stadium in Tashkent tonight.

The match kicks off at 8:00pm, after former champions Syria and India face each other at the same venue in the day’s first match.

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Bangladesh have not qualified for the final round of the AFC youth competition since 2002. But the SAFF U-20 champions are dreaming of reaching the finals for the seventh time under English coach Gerard Jones, who has overseen nine weeks of preparation involving local players and four overseas recruits.

Hosts Uzbekistan, however, will pose a formidable challenge for Bangladesh, who will look to their overseas contingent, including centre-back Zidane Yousuf, forward Adam Abbas and striker Mohammed Mahe Khan.

Jones is confident his side can exploit Uzbekistan’s weaknesses and spring a surprise.

“We know Uzbekistan will be a good opponent. They're going to keep the ball well. They're going to look to counter-press quickly. They're going to want to press high. But we also know where they're weak, and we're looking to exploit those weaknesses,” Jones said at an official press conference yesterday.

“We've got an identity of how we want to outrun, outfight, out-think, outplay, and outscore the opponent. And that's been since day one, and the players have bought into that. So, I feel very confident,” said the British coach.