Bangladesh opened their FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival campaign with a goalless draw against Wales in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Saturday, October 24. The result at the Hovsan Competition Complex gave the young Tigers a point from their first Group G match.

Wales pushed harder after the break and put Bangladesh under pressure, but the resilient defenders stood firm. Both sides exchanged attacks across the second half, and neither could find a way through in the scheduled 20 minutes, so the points were shared.

Bangladesh had the best chance of the match in the 20th minute, just before the interval. A corner found midfielder Ratul in front of goal, but he sent the ball over the crossbar. They created another chance a minute earlier but failed to use it.

Wales controlled the early exchanges after kick off, but Bangladesh gradually grew into the contest. They stopped Welsh attacks and hit back on the counter, competing on equal terms and keeping a clean sheet against a side with greater strength and tradition.

This is the first time FIFA has organised the competition, with teams from 191 countries taking part. The eight a side matches are played on pitches measuring 68 metres by 48 metres, and each game consists of two 20 minute halves.

Bangladesh share Group G with Portugal, Indonesia, Fiji and Burundi. Portugal lead with three points after a 1-0 win over Burundi, while Bangladesh and Wales have one point each. Fiji and Indonesia were also in action in another group match.

Bangladesh play two matches on each of the next two days, October 25 and 26, starting with Portugal at 4:30pm on Sunday, followed by Indonesia. The squad is expected to return home on the morning of November 3 after the tournament.