Pakistan continue their dismal run in Bahrain with a 5-1 loss to the home side in Manama. PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: Pakistan women’s football team continued their friendly series against Bahrain with a 5-1 defeat in their second match in Manama on Monday.

The Pakistan Football Federation has sent the team to Bahrain – where they lost their first match 5-0 – to prepare for the 2014 South Asian Football Federation (Saff) Women’s Championships next month.

Pakistan took the lead in the fourth minute with captain and key striker Hajra Khan’s goal.

The team contained Bahrain 1-1 at the interval, but lost their edge in the second half.

“It was a different match than the first one,” Lutfi told The Express Tribune. “We kept Bahrain marked for 70 minutes and didn’t let them go further than 2-1 in that time period.

“However, one of our players failed to mark the opponents and they ended up scoring three more goals in the last 20 minutes. Bahrain also received a penalty kick against us in the 90th minute.

“Despite the odds, our girls showed that they can learn and improve. We shouldn’t forget that Bahrain had four tours before this friendly series, and they even used a few European players in the matches.”

Lutfi added that the players have a better understanding of tactics and techniques now.

He further said that a 5-0 and 5-1 scoreline is still bearable; if caught off-guard, Pakistan could have been thrashed with a margin of 10 goals by a strong Bahrain side.

“It’s not entirely our players’ fault,” said Lutfi. “They need more international exposure. Giving a tough time to Bahrain is an achievement in itself. This was just the first friendly series they have played.”

Pakistan will play the third and last friendly tomorrow.

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