Dhaka, July 11 -- Bangladesh showed early promise by taking a two-goal lead but ultimately lost 6-4 to Japan in the semi-final of the Under-18 Asia Cup hockey tournament, held in China's Dazhu.

On Friday, the match began strongly for Bangladesh, with goals from Din Islam and Ismail Hossen securing a 2-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.

Japan fought back in the second quarter, scoring twice to level the score, only for captain Md Abdullah's field goal to restore Bangladesh's advantage.

The third quarter saw neither side find the net, maintaining a tense stalemate.

However, Japan's Yuma Fujiwara equalised early in the fourth quarter.

Bangladesh briefly revived the chances when Amit Hasan's shot beat the goalkeeper in the 47th minu...