Afghanistan’s national women’s soccer team has played its first competitive match since fleeing to Australia after the Taliban takeover of the country last year.
The Melbourne Victory Afghan Women’s Team (AWT) played out a scoreless draw against ETA Buffalo Club of Victoria in Victoria’s State League Four West after being entered into the competition with the support of the Melbourne Victory A-League club.
Nilab (left) of the Afghan women’s team keeps possession in their first Australian match on Sunday.Credit:Getty Images
The team is now an unofficial team-in-exile after players were rescued from Kabul due to fears they would face reprisals from the Taliban regime, which is hostile to women’s participation in sport.
Despite the scoreless encounter at Delahey Reserve in Melbourne’s north-western suburbs, the Afghan side thought it had scored its first goal in Australia midway through the second half, sparking joyful celebrations.
However, the goal was quickly ruled out due to an offside.
Melbourne Victory’s A-League Women’s coach Jeff Hopkins also now manages the Afghanistan side and said he was proud of its first performance.
Coach Jeff Hopkins.Credit:Getty Images
“The girls played really well. It was quite a tough game. We hadn’t played any pre-season friendlies, so it was always going to be a little bit tough and there was a little bit of unknown,” Hopkins said.
“But I think, in general, we dominated big parts of the game. We dominated the game in terms of shots on target and chances, but we just couldn’t put that final ball away.”
Afghan women’s national team plays first match after relocating to Australia
Source: Philippines Alive
