Saturday, January 26, 2008

Saudi Arabia: First Girls’ Soccer Match

JEDDAH - The first soccer match between female teams has taken place in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, the Al-Watan newspaper said.

No men were allowed in the stadium, and the referee and her linesman, as well as the fans, were also female.

The Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University team defeated their guests, the Al-Yamamah College, from the capital, Riyadh, in a penalty shoot out after the game had ended 2-2 on Thursday.

Al-Yamamah college's goalkeeper was declared "woman of the match."

The match was held at a 35,000 capacity stadium in the city of Dammam.

Saudi Arabia's male national soccer team is one of Asia's most successful teams, currently ranking 57 in the FIFA ratings and has taken part in the last four World Cups.

It is unclear if a female Saudi national soccer team is in the offing and whether they would participate in international competitions.

- Saudi Gazette report

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