Football: Women’s Three-Nations Friendly tournament Seychelles suffer shocking loss to debutants Saudi Arabia |23 February 2022
After coming out with all guns blazing in their second match against hosts Maldives which they won 4-0, many expected the Seychelles women’s national football team to extend their winning streak against debutants Saudi Arabia in the Three-Nation Friendly tourney.
In their third and last match on Sunday night inside the National Football Stadium, Seychelles lost 0-2 to Saudi Arabia who were playing their first ever international.
The match was always going to be a historic one for the Falcons of Saudi Arabia whatever the result, but they made sure it was marked in triumphant manner.
Al-Bandari Mubarak became the first Saudi women’s international goalscorer when she scored in the 14th minute and Maryam Al-Tamimi converted from the penalty spot to double their lead four minutes after the break.
Seychelles lost their first match against the hosts Maldives on a 1-0 score after Mariyam Noora pounced on a defensive mistake by Florence Marie in the 10th minute to beat Seychelles goalkeeper Mandy Gabriel. But Natacha Bibi scored a second half brace in a 4-0 drubbing of the same opponents as they earned their first win under Singaporean coach Angeline Chua Ki Yi.
Speaking to Sports NATION, coach Chua said she is proud of the players for what they have achieved in such a short period of time.
“We had just a day of recovery before facing Saudi Arabia. And playing three games in five days is a lot. We conceded through a corner kick in the 14th minute and a penalty goal in the 49th minute,” said coach Chua.
She added: “We tried to create chances and played our football till the final whistle.
“Nevertheless, I am proud of the players for what they have achieved in such a short period of time since coming together in August last year.
“Even though the players were a little tired, they were eager to compete in the historical moment with the Saudi Arabia women’s national team. Their first ever international match had raised awareness throughout the world, including having the great Pele sharing on his social media post. The Seychelles women’s national team are en route to obtaining their first ever Fifa ranking and we will complete this task in the next Fifa window, in either April or June. However, we went global early through sharing this historical event in women’s football together with Saudi Arabia.”
Coached by German coach Monika Staab, the Falcons of Saudi Arabia are to play the Maldives on Friday February 24.
Since the Saudi Arabia match against Seychelles was widely awaited, legendary Brazilian footballer Pele was among those who hailed Saudi Arabia’s international debut.
“Today is a historic day, not only for you, but for everyone who loves football,” tweeted legendary Brazilian footballer Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pele, in support of the players.
"I want to congratulate the [Saudi Arabian Football Federation] and their women’s football national team for their first ever official [Fifa] match," wrote three-time Fifa World Cup winner Pele on Twitter.
Gerard Govinden
