UAE women’s team lose to Kyrgyzstan
bishkek — Hosts Kyrgyzstan rallied to beat the UAE 2-1 while Guam blanked Maldives 12-0 in the first round of the AFC Women’s 2018 World Cup qualifiers on Saturday.
In a tight match which saw neither side able to find a breakthrough in the first half, the tie burst into life when Shahd Khaled Al Zarkan scored for the UAE in the 59th minute against Kyrgyzstan at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium.
A stung Kyrgyzstan, immediately upped the tempo as they went in search of the equaliser and their heavy pressing paid off in the 67th minute as Dalinger Viktoriia drew them level. Seven minutes later, the hosts went ahead through Yrysbek Kyzy Kenzhebubu and it was a lead Kyrgyzstan defended to start their campaign with a valuable three points.
Up next for UAE are Maldives on Monday while Kyrgyzstan will face Guam on Wednesday.
Guam impressed in their emphatic win over Maldives with Hannah Rose Benavente starting the goal rush with the opener in the sixth minute with Isabella Brae Bass doubling their lead in the 13th minute.
The qualifying campaign will consist two rounds. In the Qualifiers Round 1, the six group winners and two best second-placed teams will progress to Round 2, where the top four teams would then advance to the Finals