Manama: Holders Jordan recovered from a goal down to secure a start to remember, while three goals in 12 minutes gave hosts Bahrain a winning opening to the 2019 WAFF Women's Championship at Sheikh Ali bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium on Monday.



JORDAN 4-1 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Jordan's title defence looked to have got off to a shaky start when 19-year-old Naeema Juma gave the United Arab Emirates a 31st minute lead, but Nouf Al Adwan's own goal on the stroke of half time gave the defending champions a lifeline.

It proved to be the game's turning point, with Jordan never looking back from Raya Hina's 63rd minute goal, before she added a second to make it 3-1 for Al-Nahsmiyat in the 11 minutes later.


Anfal Al Sufy added a fourth to round out the scoring in the 79th minute, and ensure West Asia's highest ranked team hit the ground running in the regional championship.

BAHRAIN 3-2 LEBANON
Bahrain and Lebanon shared five goals, all of which came in the second half, in an opening day thriller which ultimately saw the hosts prevail 3-2.

Promising 18-year-old Hanin Tamim gave Lebanon the lead in the 57th minute, but a blistering 12-minute burst from Bahrain turned the match in their favour, beginning with Phoebe Licence's 69th minute leveller.

Hessa Allisa, who represented Bahrain with distinction at the 2018 AFC Women's Futsal Championship, then scored twice in just three minutes, firing the hosts into a commanding 3-1 lead in the 81st minute.

Lebanon pulled back a late consolation through Dima Alkatsi, but must now look towards Wednesday's clash with United Arab Emirates, while Bahrain will continue their campaign against Palestine.

Photos: West Asian Football FederationSource: the-afc.com