BAHRAIN last night suffered a significant blow to their title aspirations in the sixth West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Women’s Championship, held to a 1-1 draw by UAE in their penultimate game at Muharraq Club.
Chief rivals and defending champions Jordan moved into prime position to regain the crown following a resounding 3-0 win over Palestine in yesterday’s other fixture.
With this victory, Jordan moved to the top with nine points while Bahrain fell to second with seven after dropping their first points of the competition.
Bahrain and Jordan face off tomorrow, at 7pm, in a clash to decide the overall winners. Bahrain have to defeat Jordan to claim the title while a draw or a loss will see them finish runners-up.
Striker Hessa Al Isa fired Bahrain’s lone goal of the game from a difficult angle on the right corner of the penalty box in the 19th minute.
But Bahrain’s celebrations were short-lived as the Emirates levelled the scores in the 35th minute with Al Anood Al Adwan’s header off a cross from the left corner.
Before half-time Hessa could have scored Bahrain’s second goal in an one-on-one with the UAE goalkeeper. But her attempt was brilliantly saved.
Meanwhile, the Jordanians were comfortable winners against Palestine scoring twice in the first-half before finding the net again seven minutes from time.
In the other contest tonight, Lebanon face Palestine at 4pm to decide third place.