Dhaka, July 11 -- Bangladesh's dream run in the Under-18 Asia Cup hockey have come to a heartbreaking end as they lost 6-4 to Japan in the semi-finals, despite going ahead on three separate occasions in a pulsating encounter.

The boys in red and green started in dominant fashion in Dazhu, China on Friday, storming to a 2-0 lead by the end of the first quarter with goals from Din Islam and Ismail Hossen.

But Japan struck back in the second quarter, scoring twice to level the match.

Captain Md Abdullah then stepped up to reclaim Bangladesh's advantage with a well-taken field goal, making it 3-2 before the break.

The third quarter remained goalless in a tense standoff, but Japan's Yuma Fujiwara equalised once again early in the fourth. ...