Bahrain's women’s football national team suffered a narrow 1-2 defeat to Palestine last night in a friendly match played at Al Ahli Club Stadium in Mahooz.
Ahlam Nasr gave the visitors a dream start after finding the net in just the second minute. She evaded the defence of Manar Ebrahim and slotted home from inside the box.
But Bahrain’s star forward Hessa Al Isa needed just four minutes to fire in a reply, and she did so in stunning fashion. From about a metre outside the area, Al Isa sent in a brilliant free-kick to bring the game level once more.
Ebrahim then had an opportunity to score on another set ball, but her attempt was punched over the crossbar by the Palestine goalkeeper.
The contest remained deadlocked as the two teams headed into the locker rooms, but shortly after the restart, Sarah Al Kurd gave the Palestinians the lead once again in the 63rd minute. She was on target following a free-kick from the right wing. The cross was initially saved but could not be controlled, and Al Kurd tapped in from close range.
That was enough to separate the two sides, as Palestine posted their second win in as many outings against Bahrain in less than a week. They had earlier won their first meeting 1-0, with Nasr scoring that game’s lone goal.
The Bahrainis are scheduled to play another two friendlies against Indonesia’s women’s national team on Saturday and Tuesday at home.
The games are part of the Bahrain players’ preparations for this year’s Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, set to take place this November in Bangkok, Thailand, with the kingdom’s women’s futsal team participating. Many of the players on Bahrain’s women’s football national team also suit up with the futsal squad.
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