SINGAPORE, 6 MARCH 2019 –  Up against three national Under-19 sides and a Japanese club side, the Singapore Under-19 Women’s Selection squad finished fifth in their group in the JENESYS 2018 Japan-ASEAN Under-19 Women Football Tournament held from 2-6 March 2019.

2 March	Cambodia U19 Women’s National Team	4 – 1	Singapore Under-19 Women’s Selection
3 March	Singapore Under-19 Women’s Selection	0 – 9	Vicsale Okinawa FC Nabiita Youth
4 March	Laos U19 Women’s National Team	4 – 0	U-19 Singapore Women’s Selection

The match against Malaysia scheduled on 6 March was cancelled due to inclement weather.

The team were able to both watch and play different teams in the tournament. Home United women’s team defender Amira Malik said: “Watching the teams from Japan and Thailand play really motivated us as we saw the standard of play that people of our age-group are performing at. For our match (later that day against Cambodia), with inspired hearts, we played our best, trying to adjust to the cold temperatures which is unlike what we have in Singapore.”

The tournament is part of “JENESYS 2018,” a programme promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and organised by the Japan Football Association as a platform to encourage cultural exchange between the Japanese and ASEAN youths.

As part of the exchange programme, the players attended keynote lectures and toured Zakimi Castle in Okinawa, Japan.

Goalkeeper Lutfiah Hannah, who plays in Tampines Meridian Junior College said: “During the sightseeing programme, we visited the ruins of Zakimi Castle, and it was great to learn about the history and culture of Okinawa.”

The players will return to their respective clubs and school as they prepare for the upcoming domestic competitions.