FUTSAL – BAHRAIN held Lebanon to a 1-1 stalemate yesterday in their opening match of their qualification competition in Thailand for the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup 2025.
Shaikha Al Anood Al Khalifa was on target for the Bahrainis in the second half after they conceded in the first 20-minute period.
The tie was one of two Group A fixtures on day one of qualifying action, which is being held in separate venues across the continent. Iraq and Palestine drew 1-1 in the other game.
Both contests were held at Nonthaburi Stadium in the Thai city of Nonthaburi.
Bahrain will be looking to take the full three points when they return to action tomorrow against Iraq at 12.30pm. They then play hosts Thailand on Friday at 3.30pm before battling Palestine in their final outing on Sunday next week at 12.30pm. All times are Bahrain.
The nationals are aiming to finish as one of the top two teams in their group to book a direct berth to this year’s AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup, which will be held in May in China.
In yesterday’s match, Bahrain goalkeeper Zahra Nezar was busy from the start as Lebanon were the early aggressors. Marie Joe Wakim had a couple of opportunities to score and finally opened her side’s account in the 13th minute.
After battling past Bahrain’s star Hessa Al Isa on the right flank, Wakim had only a charging Nezar to beat. She then fired home with a left-footed effort from inside the penalty area, sending the ball to the top-left corner of the net. That was enough to give Lebanon a slim lead heading into the break.
After the restart, the Bahrainis raised their performance and their efforts were rewarded with Shaikha Al Anood’s equaliser in the 27th minute. After Al Isa assisted in regaining possession, Shaikha Al Anood hit a low shot from around 10 metres out. Lebanon goalkeeper Elite Tannous was able to get her hands on the ball, but it slipped from her grasp and slowly rolled into the net, levelling the scores.
Nezar then made a crucial stop with just under a minute to play on an attempt by Lebanon’s Rayane Rachid, who had found some space to unleash a potential game-winner. But a diving Nezar was up to the task and she helped the Bahrainis come away with the share of the spoils.
The Bahrainis, coached by Brazilian Marcelino Gomes, have a 14-player squad in Thailand. Joining Shaikha Al Anood, Al Isa, and Nezar are Manar Ebrahim, Leleeya Sabkar Jawed, Ameera Bader Swar, Fatima Hamad Alnusuf, Rawan Nabeela Alaali, Eman Rashed Alkhatal, Rose Fayez Tobila, Sama Amjad, Amina Hamad Aldoseri, Shoog Abdulhaleem Alalwani, and Hiba Salem Alhabishe.
Bahrain are one of 19 national teams playing in four different qualification groups for the right to claim one of nine available berths in the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup. Group B features hosts Indonesia, Hong Kong, Pakistan, India, and Kyrgyzstan; while Group C is composed of hosts Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Australia, the Philippines, and Kuwait. There are only four teams in Group D, including hosts Myanmar, Vietnam, Chinese Taipei, and Macau.
This year’s championship is set to be the third edition of the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup. Bahrain are looking to qualify for only the second time in the tournament’s history.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))