FUTSAL – Bahrain punched their tickets yesterday to the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup 2025.
The kingdom’s women’s futsal national team secured their berth after battling back from an early deficit to defeat Palestine 3-1 in their concluding qualifying match in Nonthaburi, Thailand.
The Bahrainis gave up a goal after only two minutes but roared back to take the contest, earning their second victory in four matches in qualification Group A. That gave them enough points to finish second on the table and claim their spot in the highly anticipated continental competition, which is scheduled to be held in China this May.
Bahrain will be the only Arab team in the event. Manar Ebrahim scored Bahrain’s equaliser and then Hessa Al Isa had a brace to help lift them to the hard-earned win.
With the result, the nationals, coached by Brazilian Marcelino Gomes, wrapped up the qualifiers as runners-up in their division, behind only hosts Thailand, who swept the competition on home soil with four wins from as many games.
The Thais outclassed Lebanon 4-0 in yesterday’s other fixture in their concluding matchday at Nonthaburi Stadium.
“It was a tough competition,” national team manager Raed Baba told the GDN from Thailand. “All five teams were fighting hard for the Asian Cup.
“Our girls played very well. We are so proud with what we achieved. Coach did a great job as well.
“After we return to Bahrain, we’re going to work hard to prepare for the Asian Cup. Our target is to be top eight in futsal in the continent. We are relatively new in this game, but we believe we can reach our goal.”
In Bahrain’s win yesterday, the nationals headed into the clash needing to triumph or at least finishing with a draw against the Palestinians in order to clinch their spot in the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup 2025.
But things didn’t start off well as their opponents were first on the scoreboard with Dima Alrumhi firing in after only two minutes. Alrumhi stole possession away from Bahrain and charged towards goal after passing to teammate Nour Youssef. She then received the ball back from Youssef and with her second touch slotted home past Bahrain’s goalkeeper Zahra Nezar to take the early lead.
Palestine’s celebrations were short-lived, however, as the Bahrainis drew level the very next minute. Ebrahim tapped the ball in after a shot from close range by Ameera Bader Swar was blocked by Miraf Marouf. The rebound went right to Ebrahim, who made no mistake with her effort.
The nationals then took the lead before the half with Al Isa’s first strike of the contest. She scored with a stunning volley from outside the penalty area off a lobbed corner-kick from Shaikha Al Anood Al Khalifa. Al Issa’s 17th minute rocket gave Bahrain the much-needed advantage at the break.
After the re-start, both teams had other chances to score and the Bahrainis valiantly defended their slim lead with Palestine pressing hard. Al Isa finally put the game to rest just seconds before the final whistle after receiving a brilliant pass from Ebrahim in front of goal and needing to simply guide the ball into the net.
Bahrain are set to be one of 12 teams in the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup 2025, taking place May 7 to 18. Hosts China, defending champions Iran, and silver-medallist from the last edition Japan have automatic berths, while joining the Bahrainis through the qualifiers the Thais, Indonesia, Australia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan, and the Philippines.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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