As many as five overseas-based players represented Bangladesh in the campaign, but as the side failed to win any of their three group matches, few of them produced performances worth talking about. Zidane, however, managed to stand out and leave an impression during the tournament.

Bangladesh ended their AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-0 defeat to India in Uzbekistan on Sunday, finishing bottom of their four-team group without scoring a single goal.

It is a disappointing position for a side that arrived in Uzbekistan with considerable optimism after winning the SAFF U-20 Championship earlier this year.

Bangladesh’s bid to qualify for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup finals got off to a disappointing start as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to hosts Uzbekistan in their Group B qualifier at Do’stlik Stadium in Tashkent on Monday.

Several BFF executive committee members had reportedly shown interest in the manager’s position. One of those who had been in the running told The Daily Star that Amer had initially been expected to continue before pressure from a particular quarter led to Babu’s appointment. There has been similar talk within football circles about Babu receiving backing from influential figures associated with Mohammedan Sporting Club.

Bangladesh's Under-20 team will leave for Uzbekistan tonight amid an extraordinary cloud of uncertainty, with neither head coach Gerard Jones nor captain or any player attending the team's pre-departure press conference at the Bangladesh Football Federation headquarters.

With eyes set on securing a place in the final round of the 2027 AFC U-20 Asian Cup, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has submitted a bid to host the qualifiers of the 43rd edition of the continental youth championship, scheduled for August 2026.

Poor defending and goalkeeping saw Bangladesh go down 4-1 to Vietnam in their third Group A match in the AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers at Lach Tray Stadium in Hai Phong, Vietnam today.

Following a 4-0 thrashing against Syria in the group opener, Bangladesh were desperate for a win over lowly Guam.

Veteran coach Maruful Haque is looking forward to guiding the Bangladesh under-20 football team to the final of the SAFF Under-20 Championship in Nepal later this month as he returns to coaching after a year-long sabbatical.

Bangladesh started their AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers with a goalless draw against hosts Bahrain on Saturday night.