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UAE Women Win Western Asia Soccer Title

UAE made history by landing their first international silverware, defeating heavyweights Jordan in the final of the third Western Asia Women’s Football Championship.

UAE’s lanky striker Fatima bint Mubarak Al Maleh scored the match-winner in the 70^th minute to put it across the defending champions.

Jordan won the inaugural championship in 2005 at home and retained the title again in 2007 in Jordan.

The Championship was held under the patronage of the Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC).

Six National teams from the Western Asia region were taking part in the championship.

The teams were divided into two groups and UAE were placed in Group B along with Kuwait and Palestine. Defending champions Jordan, Iran and Bahrain were in Group A.

Earlier, in the play-off for the third place, Bahrain blanked Palestine 3-0. Reem Alhasmi put Bahrain in the lead in the 43 rd minute and Mona Alduees doubled it just a minute before half-time.

Then, Shaikha Al Anout rounded it off with six minutes left on the clock.

Bahrain had gone down 0-4 to hosts UAE in the semifinal, while Palestine were swamped by defending champions Jordan 10-0.

It was Jordan who had a stranglehold on the proceedings right through the game, as UAE adopted a more defensive approach in the first half.

Jordan had their first opportunity in the ninth minute but their dead-ball specialist Stephanie Alnaber’s freekick hit the post.

UAE goalkeeper Noura Abdulla Saif Almazrooei kept the hosts in the hunt by pulling off a couple of saves. Noura dived and punched away a threatening freekick from Jordan’s Yasmeen Khair. Later, she fumbled but managed to collect a freekick from Jordan’s Stephanie Alnaber.

UAE’s best and only chance came before half-time but their lanky striker Fatima bint Mubarak Al Maleh muffed a sitter. With the Jordan defence in tatters, and with the goalkeeper out of position, Fatima had a golden opportunity but she shot wide with an open goal in front of her.

UAE showed a lot more purpose after the break but their midfield forays were cut off and their attack lacked bite.

Then, against the run of play, Fatima bint Mubarak Al Maleh made up for the blunder earlier, by scoring in the 70^th minute.

Jordan piled on the pressure to stay in the game but a stoic UAE defence and the goalkeeper stood firm. Jordan’s Stephanie Alnaber was unlucky on the night as two off her freekicks hit the woodwork.


james@khaleejtimes.com