A much-improved performance by Bangladesh Under-16 Women’s football team was not enough to prevent their 0-3 defeat against three-time champions Japan in their second match of the AFC Under-16 Women’s Championship in Chonburi, Thailand on Thursday. Bangladesh, who suffered a humiliating 0-9 defeat against North Korea in the first match, showed their composure in defence against mighty Japan to concede only three goals.
Tomoko Tanaka, Moe Nakae and Yuzuki Yamamoto scored one goal apiece for Japan to ensure their semi-final berth from Group B as they scored eight goals in two matches without conceding any.
Bangladesh coach Golam Robbani Choton fielded goalkeeper Mahmuda in the place of Roksana and got the result as the keeper made a series of saves to help her side conceding less goals.
Japan took the lead in the 13th minute when Tanaka’s powerful strike following a free-kick of Yamamoto found the back of the net.
However, charges of Choton didn’t give up and they all but levelled the things five-minutes later when Masura saw her header following a corner of Sanjida crossed the goal-line, only to be denied by the assistant referee’s flag.
Japan doubled the lead in the 31st minute when Nakae beat Mahmuda before sending the ball home with a cool placing from top of the box.
Yamamoto made it 3-0 eight minutes later when the striker placed the ball in the right corner of the net with an angular shot from just inside the box.
In the second half, Bangladesh keeper Mahmuda made some brilliant saves to deny Japan’s attacking third to give her side some confidence before their last group match against Australia on September 17.
-With New Age input
