Saudi Arabia's women's football team poses for a photo after winning its first-ever international match. (Twitter)
Saudi Arabia's women's football team wins its first-ever international match
Amani Hamad, Al Arabiya English
Published: 21 February ,2022: 02:03 PM GST Updated: 21 February ,2022: 05:24 PM GST
Saudi Arabia's national women's football team won its first-ever international match beating the Seychelles on Sunday with a 2-0 win.
The match, which is part of a tournament of international friendly matches, was held at the National Stadium in Maldives.
For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
Al-Bandari Mubarak scored the first goal in the first 14 minutes, becoming the first player to score a goal for the Saudi women's football team in history.
Mariam al-Tamimi scored the second goal from a penalty kick during the second half of the match.
The football team kicked off its training sessions at a preparatory camp on January 14 in the Saudi city of Jeddah, according to the state news agency (SPA), and later traveled to Riyadh on January 27 to resume its second training phase before heading to Maldives for the third and final training phase of its first program.
The team will also play another friendly match against the Maldives on Thursday.
The team will also play against the Maldives on February 24. (Twitter)
Monika Staab, the coach of the Saudi women's football team, had voiced the significance of this "historical game" ahead of the match, saying: "This is a historical moment for women's football in Saudi Arabia."
"I want to tell the players to enjoy [the matches] and to be proud of being in the [team]. They must give their [best] during these two matches… they are very lucky to have this opportunity of representing Saudi Arabia," the German coach added.
Lamia bin Bahian, director of the women's football department and member of the board of directors of the Saudi football federation, said the match is a historical event given it's the first for the women's football team.
"This is the beginning. There is a long journey to achieve our aim of participating in regional and international championships," she was quoted as saying by SPA.
Following their victory over the Seychelles, the Women's Football Department in the Saudi Football Federation, congratulated the team via Twitter and wrote: "Together, we make history."
Legendary player Pele also congratulated the team saying: "Today is a historic day not only for you, but for everyone who loves football."
I want to congratulate the @saudiFF and their Women's National Football Team for their first ever official @FIFAcom match. Today is a historic day not only for you, but for everyone who loves football. @abdulazizTF @yalmisehal @adwaalarifi @ialkassim @lamiabahaian @Saff_wfd pic.twitter.com/hvpIshVwkL
— Pelé (@Pele) February 20, 2022
Job ad for 30 women train drivers in Saudi Arabia gets 28,000 applicants
Saudi Arabia sees 112 percent increase in commercial registrations for businesswomen
Saudi Arabia's Football Federation launches Women's Football League
Monika Staab
A job advert to recruit 30 female train drivers in Saudi Arabia has attracted 28,000 applicants, highlighting the scale of demand as the kingdom opens ... Gulf
Saudi Arabia has issued 139,754 new commercial licenses to women in 2021, marking one of the largest growth rates according to records, the Ministry ... Gulf
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) announced on Saturday the launch of the first edition of the Saudi Women's Football League, the official ... Gulf
Saudi Crown Prince, Putin discuss OPEC+ cooperation for oil market stability: Kremlin
minutes (Reading time)