{"id":4855,"date":"2022-09-30T13:02:13","date_gmt":"2022-09-30T13:02:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/portuguese-coach-suspended-after-harassment-accusations\/"},"modified":"2022-09-30T13:02:13","modified_gmt":"2022-09-30T13:02:13","slug":"portuguese-coach-suspended-after-harassment-accusations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/?p=4855","title":{"rendered":"Portuguese coach suspended after harassment accusations"},"content":{"rendered":"
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New chapter for women\u2019s football in Saudi Arabia as national team conclude first ever matches at home<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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\nRIYADH: Following their launch last year, Saudi Arabia\u2019s Women\u2019s National Team has completed a historic week after taking on Asian counterparts Bhutan in their debut matches on home soil.<\/p>\n
\nTaking place across four days at the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Stadium in Abha, both friendly fixtures witnessed six-goal thrillers.<\/p>\n
\nThe first match on Saturday saw the hosts bounce back from a 3-1 deficit at half-time to claim an 3-3 draw thanks to Al-Bandari Mubarak and Nora Ibrahim\u2019s strikes in the closing 15 minutes. Both teams met again on Wednesday night with the visitors claiming an action-packed 4-2 victory.<\/p>\n
\nReflecting on the past week, SAFF Women\u2019s Football Department Supervisor and board member, Lamia Bahaian, said: \u201cWe have been working very hard toward the moment we finally see our women\u2019s national team compete at home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWe are extremely proud of how they\u2019ve already inspired a nation and are helping pave the way for a career in the sport with over 50,000 young girls signing up for the first-ever schools league,\u201d she said. \u201cSince the launch of the team just last year, we\u2019ve been grateful for the unconditional support shown to us by the Kingdom\u2019s leadership. The players will now continue their development and progress in the Premier League\u2019s inaugural season, in what is a hugely exciting moment in their careers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe matches represented the latest chapter in women\u2019s football rapid journey in Saudi Arabia over the past few years. Since the establishment of a dedicated women\u2019s football department at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation in 2019, it currently hosts 450 registered players, 49 qualified referees and more than 900 D, C and B licensed coaches.<\/p>\n\n\nThe national team\u2019s German head coach Monika Staab. (SAFF)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\nThis progress is a result of a long-term strategy launched last year by the federation to grow interest and participation at all levels of the women\u2019s game, with unprecedented investments in areas such as grassroots, player development, coaching, facilities, competitions and governance.<\/p>\n
\nThe national team\u2019s players\u2019 attention now turns toward their respective clubs ahead of the launch of the SAFF Women\u2019s Premier League and return of the First Division League. Featuring eight clubs from across Saudi Arabia, most notably Saudi Pro League sides Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad for the first time, the newly formed Premier League takes place on a home-and-away basis with a total of 56 matches.<\/p>\n
\nThe First Division League, formerly known as the SAFF Regional Football League, will see a further 17 teams compete across three cities.<\/p>\n
\nThe national team\u2019s German head coach, Monika Staab, said that she could not be prouder of the team\u2019s performances and progress over the 180 minutes, in what were only the national team\u2019s third and fourth matches following the encounters against the Seychelles and Maldives in February.<\/p>\n
\nShe believes playing the first meetings at home marks another historic milestone in the national team\u2019s journey and the women\u2019s game as a whole.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThis week will undoubtedly go down in the history of Saudi Arabian football. Playing our first matches at home was a massive source of pride for everyone involved in the women\u2019s game across the country,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI am extremely pleased with the experience gained by our girls and their performances against a tough opponent. They showcased their true fighting spirit and strong willingness to fight till the final whistle. We look forward to getting more international minutes under our belt, both at home and away, as we continue toward journey to achieve the ambitious goals set for women\u2019s football.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n