Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dushanbe: Jordan’s impressive teamwork and creditable composure proved the difference on Wednesday as they beat the United Arab Emirates 6-0 in Group A of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Jordan 2018 qualifiers.
As hosts of next year’s finals, table-toping Jordan are assured of qualification, and following their second successive win of the campaign, the race appears to be on to finish second – a position, currently occupied by the Philippines, which also guarantees a ticket to the continental gathering.
In what was to be a sign of things to come, star striker Maysa Jbarah opened the scoring as early as the fourth minute with a delicate finish from six yards.
With Jordan continuing to dominate proceedings, Shahnaz Jebreen missed from close range, before Jbarah - who bagged a hat-trick in Monday’s 6-0 defeat of Bahrain - doubled her side’s advantage with a deft flick, and captain Stephanie Alnaber fired home from distance before the break.
Jordan’s superiority persisted after half-time, Jbarah going close on several occasions and UAE goalkeeper Noura Abdulla Saif reacting well to keep out a Luna Almasri effort.
However, Jordan continued their goalscoring spree in the 78th minute when Jbarah reacted first to net a rebound, bagging her second treble in two games.
Alnaber duly followed suit with an excellent free-kick from outside the area, while Jbarah then made no mistake from close range to register her fourth of the day.
Jordan head coach Maher Abu Hantash:
“Our aim was to win. The most important thing is that we have kept a clean sheet so far. We had many chances and we could’ve scored more but six is okay. In our next game we can do better.”
UAE head coach Samir Landolsi:
“This game was very different from our first one, as you can see in the result, but the players delivered what we want from them, as they fought until the last minute. Jordan are the best out of the West Asian teams and they will also host the finals next year. So, I am satisfied with the players. We still have three matches and we will give them our best.”
Photo: Tajikistan Football Federation