Doha: Jordan won the AFC West Under-14 Girls’ Championship here yesterday.
The tournament favourites defeated Palestine 3-1 to secure top spot in Group B with a 100 percent record at Al Arabi’s Grand Hamad Stadium.
The competition, hosted in Doha over the last five days, has been a great success as some of the region’s most promising young female players competed with each other.
After leading her team to victory, Jordan coach Jordan coach Manar Musafa Ahmad Fraij said: “I promised to win this competition when we started and I am so proud to have achieved.
“Winning this tournament shows we have a strong team and a strong future. I am very happy about this.”
Palestine can count themselves unlucky not to have won. This match was the only one they lost as they pushed Jordan all the way.
Palestine coach Eyad Flanh said: “I am very proud of what we did at this tournament. We do not have very good facilities in Palestine and the country has a lot of problems.
“To come and finish second in the tournament is a great achievement. We lost to the best team in my opinion and I congratulate Jordan for their achievement.
“I am very happy with the nice things people have been saying about our team.”
Jordan took the lead with the goal of the tournament. Leen Ayman whipped in a great cross from the right and Leen Yasin rifled a great volley into the top corner.
Just before the half-hour mark Leen Aymen grabbed the second with a close range header following a brilliant cross from Luna.
It was a goal that seemed to suck the life out of Palestine and Jordan went one step closer to winning the group.
Palestine pulled a goal back after 45 minutes when Rozeen scored from the penalty spot. It was a goal which opened the game and suddenly made Jordan not so sure of their dominance.
Soon after Jordan restored their two goal lead when Leen Yasin smashed a great effort into the top corner. That was the goal that secured the victory – and ensured Jordan would be crowned outright winners of the tournament.
In the final match of the tournament BAHRAIN defeated QATAR 8-0 as the week ended on a disappointing note for the host side.
Midfielder and captain Phoebe opened the scoring with a spectacular long-range effort after seven minutes. Five minutes later the Bahrain captain scored her second of the game from the penalty spot.
The midfielder completed her hat-trick with just 20 minutes gone before grabbing a fourth with a great free-kick. Bahrain were cruising to victory.
Maya then scored number five with a long-range effort before Phoebe scored the sixth of the game with another free-kick. Just before the hour mark Bahrain scored the seventh of the match – and once again it was Phoebe who got the goal with a close range header.
With nine minutes to go Phoebe scored her seventh of the match after sprinting clear and slotting into the bottom corner.
The Peninsula
