The under-16 women’s football team is being groomed with much care. In fact 15 of the 28 girls at the national residency camp have been selected for the national side at the SAFF women’s championship. These young women have already vindicated the selectors with their performance at the SAFF tournament in Siliguri, India.

The team played against India in the SAFF finals on January 4, and came out as the runners-up of the tournament for the first time. With much ahead for the youngsters, the Bangladesh Football Federation has fittingly kept them under special observation and strict discipline.

Here’s a quick look at some of the promising players coming up through the ranks:

Krishna Rani Sarkar, Forward

Hailing from Tangail, the U-16 skipper led her side to reach the final round of AFC U-16 women’s tournament, only the second time in Bangladesh’s football history. Krishna scored 8 goals in 5 matches in the qualifying round. Aside from her leadership qualities, Krishna possesses versatility and an unmatched appetite to find the opponents’ net.

Marzia Khatun, Left Midfielder

Coming up through the Rajshahi camp, Marzia has a magical right foot. She specialises in set piece and all left sided free kicks and corners. A habitual goal scorer, she possesses an eye for openings. She made her senior debut against Maldives at the SA games. Set to take her SSC exams in 2018, Marzia just got into the tenth grade.

Sanjida Akter, Right Midfielder

The immensely talented left-footer also came up through the Rajshahi camp. An expert in penalties and right sided corners and free kicks, Sanjida is an admirer of the flamboyant Argentine football. Sanjida’s talents were noticed in Asian age division as she was ranked 7th among 10 best players of the AFC U-16 women 2014 tournament.

Sirat Jahan Shopna, Forward

Youngest of three siblings, Shopna has her roots in Rangpur and came through the Nilphamari camp. Shopna provides versatility for the team, with her goal scoring and playmaking ability. In some ways, this prolific forward is the common thread that binds the team together ensuring that it functions as a well oiled machine. Also in her 10th grade, Shopna idolizes her skipper Sabina Khatun and has given a magnificent performance at the 2016 SAFF women’s championship. When the opponents decided to mark the veteran skipper Sabina, it was Shopna who ran amok and won matches for Bangladesh.

Masura Parvin, Central Defence

Hailing from Satkhira, Masura is the eldest of three siblings. Only a student of 8th grade, Masura idolizes national defender Trishna Dey and is working her way to become a force to be reckoned with. Not only has she already been picked for BJMC, but Masura has performed spectacularly at the SAFF as well. In fact she was instrumental in holding SAFF champions to a goalless draw in the second match.

Nargis Khatun, Central Defence

Youngest of three siblings, Nargis came through the Rajshahi camp. Athletic and strong, Nargis has a killer header, which makes her a force to be reckoned during corners and set-pieces. Also in the 10th grade, Nargis has been contracted by Ansars to play for them and will surely continue to wow the nation in years to come. Nargis has been one of the pillars of defence that denied India many a goal in 2016 SAFF. Bangladesh conceded three goals and scored 13 in the entire tournament.