February 21 – In a historic first, Saudi Arabia’s women’s national team defeated Seychelles 2-0 to mark their debut in international football. The Saudi team however is still awaiting for official FIFA recognition.
In the 14th minute, Al-Bandari Mubarak became the first-ever goal scorer for the female Falcons. After the break, Maryam Al-Tamimi converted a penalty to double Saudi Arabia’s lead and ensure victory.
The Saudi team are participating in a mini-tournament in the Maldives, whom they will play next.
“Our goal is for the players to gain the experience necessary to play international matches, in addition to our aim for our official entry into the FIFA classification,” said Saudi Arabia’s coach Monika Staab.
The German was tasked with building the national team last year after spells with Bahrain and Qatar. Staab led FFC Frankfurt to the 2002 UEFA Women’s Champions League title. Women’s football in Saudi Arabia has been growing, with the FA setting up a women’s department in 2019 and the establishment of a domestic league a year later. The Saudis want to qualify for the Women’s Asian Cup within the next decade.
“Enjoy every single minute, every second that you will experience in that historic moment,” said Staab on the eve of the Seychelles match. “Be proud of being part of the squad of 25. Try your best and give everything for Saudi Arabia. It is an honour for you to be there. Take this opportunity, as this is one of the most historic moments in women’s football in Saudi Arabia.”
“In November last year, my phone rang, and I saw that it was a 966 country code and had no idea who it was,” Staab said. “I thought to myself: ‘Come on, what have you got to lose?’
And then the person said: ‘This is the Saudi Arabian Football Association. We’d like to bring you over for our first C-license coaching course for women.’ I thought: ‘Sorry, what? Saudi Arabia?’ I thought that nothing could ever surprise me, and then this came along. They asked if I could give the coaching course in December, and I said: ‘Count me in.’”
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