THE stage is set for an exciting friendly match this evening between Bahrain’s women’s national team and the British Army’s women’s football team.
Members of both teams expressed their enthusiasm for the encounter, which is scheduled to kick off at 6.30pm at the Bahrain Football Association (BFA) pitches in Riffa.
Bahrain women’s team head coach Khaled Al Harban said that he too is looking forward to the game and that he hopes to inspire his team to play as hard as possible and get the win. He sees the affair as an opportunity to let his younger players shine, with a few of his regular selections unavailable to take to the pitch today.
Al Harban was speaking yesterday at the pre-match Press conference held at the BFA headquarters. Alongside him was team captain Yasmine Al Fayez.
Meanwhile, British Army women’s team coach Mags Macateer expressed her delight in being able to face a team such as Bahrain, who are currently ranked number one in the GCC and two in the Arab world. She said that it will be a good experience for her squad, who are also determined to give their best and score some goals in the tune-up contest.
Macateer was joined at the conference by team captain Emma Askins and team players Olivia Dixon, Hayley Sloan and Annalise Ryan.
Macateer explained that the fixture was a part of a tour of the Gulf they are conducting and that Bahrain is the third stop, having already visited Kuwait and Qatar. From here, the team will also be visiting the UAE and Oman where they also hope to play some games.
“We are very much looking forward to holding this friendly game,” said high-ranking BFA official Hassan Ismail. “The idea of this occasion is to strengthen the already very good relations between Bahrain and Great Britain. We have a long history together and I am sure that this match will have a 100 per cent positive impact.”
Trophies and medals will be awarded to today’s winners. All are welcome to attend to watch all the action.
Expected to attend tonight’s friendly match are high-ranking officials from the British Embassy and the BFA.
Prior to the day’s main attraction, an exhibition game between Bahrain’s under-14 girls’ national team and their counterparts from Tekkers Academy will be held between 5pm and 5.30pm at the same venue.
Members of the British Army women’s team yesterday visited The British School in Hamala and interacted with the children. They are scheduled to also visit St. Christopher’s School and Ibn Khuldoon National School today.