Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dushanbe: Captain Reem Al Hashmi starred for Bahrain as the West Asians secured their first Group A victory of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Jordan 2018 qualifiers on Wednesday thanks to a 4-0 win over host nation Tajikistan.
Al Hashmi’s hat-trick, along with Noora Sami Aldossary’s early second-half goal gave the West Asians all three points at the Central Republican Stadium to reignite their campaign and leave Tajikistan reeling following Monday’s sensational 1-0 defeat of Iraq.
In only their second-ever women’s national team match, Tajikistan appeared eager to prove their credentials against a more experienced Bahrain side, while the visitors were looking to return to winning ways in the wake of a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Jordan in their opening match.
Indeed, it was Bahrain who started the stronger, Alanood Hamad Alkhalifa firing wide from distance within the first five minutes.
That early dominance paid dividends for Bahrain in the 17th minute when Al Hashmi outran the Tajik defence to open the scoring, before the talented forward doubled her account three minutes later courtesy of a superb effort which fizzed into the top corner.
Tajikistan steadied somewhat after the early setbacks, however Al Hashmi went close to adding a third for Bahrain with a neat effort shortly before half-time.
Worse was to come for Tajikistan though, as in the opening minutes of the second half, Aldossary notched Bahrain’s third.
Tajikistan rallied, with substitute Shukronai Jumakhon’s impressive strike that hit the crossbar, as well as Jumakhon and Kholnazarova Sayramj’s constant probing of a resilient Bahrain defence.
It was a case of too little too late however for Tajikistan, and Al Hashmi duly completed her hat-trick on 80 minutes following a mazy run from virtually the halfway line.
Bahrain assistant coach Mohd Adnan:
“We studied Tajikistan very well from the first game so we were prepared. It was good to get back into the mood after we lost the first game – the 6-0 defeat was tough on us. The girls did well – and of course especially our captain Reem. We changed captain for this match as it’s part of our strategy to give confidence to the players, and Reem proved that today.”
Bahrain captain Reem Al Hashmi:
“It doesn’t matter if I score, the most important thing is to win the three points and keep progressing. We will try our best to keep scoring and winning more points. I think the result against Jordan wasn’t fair, but that’s football. But the most important thing is to come back. So now we are back with this result, we hope we keep our winning ways.”
Tajikistan head coach Bobokalonov Sulaymon:
“The Bahraini players are physically strong and tall. We wanted to play as we had done in the first match, not sit in the defence. We are here to get experience and that is why this tournament is important to the team.”
Photo: Tajikistan Football Federation