U-16s end tour on a high

Bangladesh U-16 women's football team completed their J-Green Sakai Lady's Football Festival campaign on a happy note as they notched up two victories alongside defeat on the concluding day in Osaka, Japan yesterday. 

The girls in red and green started the second day making light work of Amagasaki Ladies by posting a comprehensive 4-0 win, with Sirat Jahan Swapna scoring a brace. The prolific striker scored in the 12th and 16th minutes before captain Krishna Rani Sarker widened the margin one minute ahead of the break and Marzia wrapped up the victory netting six minutes before the end of regulation 40-mimute game.

However, Bangladesh surrendered the lead to suffer a 4-2 defeat in a penalty shootout against Thailand U-16 team in their second match of the day after regulation time ended in a 1-1 draw. Swapna put Bangladesh ahead in the 11st minute but the lead lasted only three minutes with Chaisiola Penpitcha leveling the margin.

In the day's third match, Bangladeshi girls bounced back to put up another brilliant performance to post a 4-0 win over Tokai University Shoyo Team, thanks to another brace from Swapna after Akhi Khatun and Sheuli Azim struck one goal apiece.

Bangladesh team, who took part in this festival as part of their preparation for September's AFC U-16 Women's Championship in Thailand, had a good campaign overall as they won four matches including a warm-up match, drew one and suffered two defeats in seven matches.