Mixed day for U-16 girls in Japan

Bangladesh U-16 women's football team endured mixed fortunes on the opening day of the J-Green Sakai Lady's Football Festival in Osaka, Japan yesterday.

The Bangladesh team, who consider this festival as preparation for September's AFC U-16 Championship finals, won a game, lost another and drew the other in the three 40-minute matches they played on Saturday.

According to a message received from the Bangladesh Football Federation, the girls in red and green drew the opening match 0-0 against AC Imabari Academy. Bangladesh goalkeeper Mahmuda Khatun made two crucial saves in the first half while defender Shamsunnahar wasted a penalty by shooting straight against the crossbar.

Bangladesh lost the second match against Cerezo Osaka Sakai Girl's Team 2-0. The hosts, who are supposedly the title-holders of the Japanese U-15 Girls Championship, scored both goals in the second half.

However, the girls in red and green wrapped up the day's work with a morale-boosting 2-1 victory against Naguya Ladies Team in their last match. After going a goal down early in the match, Bangladesh fought back and notched up the victory, thanks to a brace from prolific striker Sirat Jahan Swapna.