Bangladesh's hopes of finishing sixth in the men's hockey competition at the Asian Games were ended by a 7-1 defeat to China in their fifth to eighth place classification match, leaving them to play off for seventh place instead.

China took early control at the Kawasaki Juko Stadium, with Zhang Jialiang opening the scoring in the second minute before Zhao Yulai doubled the lead just two minutes later, putting Amirul Islam's side under pressure from the outset.

Chen Benhai added a third shortly before the end of the second quarter, before Rakibul Hasan pulled one back for Bangladesh in the 30th minute, offering a brief response that China did not allow to develop into any real comeback.

The Chinese side pulled away decisively in the third quarter. Gao Jiesheng made it 4-1 in the 32nd minute, and Zhang Jialiang struck again eleven minutes later to put the match beyond any realistic doubt heading into the final period.

Chen Benhai completed his hat-trick with goals in the 55th and 58th minutes, rounding off a comprehensive win that leaves Bangladesh facing Thailand in Saturday's seventh and eighth place play off at Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium.

Thailand themselves were hammered 9-1 by hosts Japan in the other classification match, results that mean Bangladesh must now beat Thailand simply to finish seventh, having missed the chance to secure a top six finish at these Games.

A sixth placed finish would have carried added significance beyond the tournament itself, opening up regular opportunities over the next four years, including a place at this month's Asian Champions Trophy had Bangladesh managed seventh or better.

Bangladesh had finished fourth in Pool A during the group stage, winning two of their five matches, before their run through the classification rounds ended with Thursday's heavy defeat against a vastly superior Chinese outfit.