opener against Amman
Amman, Nov 8 (UNI) Gokulam Kerala FC suffered a 1-2 loss in their
maiden appearance in the continental tournament
at the hands of Jordanian side Amman Club at the Aqaba Development
Corporate Stadium in Amman, Jordan, on Sunday night.
Gokulam, playing in the pilot edition of the AFC Women’s Club
Championship, opened the scoring in the match through their Ghanaian
forward Elshaddai Acheampong, but Amman pulled back in the second half
from dead ball situations.
It was a quick start to the match as both sides looked for a
breakthrough in the opening exchanges. Gokulam’s goalkeeper and
captain Aditi Chauhan made a few well-judged saves to keep Amman out.
In fact, it was Gokulam’s Elshaddai Acheampong, who got the
breakthrough on the 33rd minute. Aditi Chauhan, who had made a save at
the other end, launched a long ball towards the Ghanaian forward, who
shrugged off her marker and chipped it over an onrushing goalkeeper’s
head to score.
After the half-time break, however, it was a different story as Amman
surged forward looking for a reply. They had the perfect opportunity
to do so near the hour mark, when Gokulam defender Michel Castanha was
adjudged to have handled the ball inside the penalty area. Amman SC
captain Maysa Ziad stepped up and made no mistake, as she planted her
shot into the back of the net.
A few minutes later, Samia Ouni curled a left-footer into the top
corner from a direct free-kick, to put the Jordanian side in the lead.
The Malabarians will face Shahrdari Sirjan of Iran in their next match
on Wednesday, November 10.
The game kicks off at 7.30 PM IST, according to All India Football Federation.
UNI XC-PC KK