Arsenal Ladies’ 25-game unbeaten run came to an end with defeat to the invincible Venus, who continued their 100 per cent start to the season.
Anybody expecting a nervous start between the top two sides in the GulfWeekly & Citroen-sponsored Bahrain Ladies Football League this season was quickly proved wrong.
The opening stages of the fixture were explosive, with Zain Al Khalifa scoring after just 56 seconds. And Mary Beth Sullivan, playing her last game before returning to the US, equalised after 90 seconds and Lamees El Saqaa scored another top quality goal within three minutes to make the score 2-1.
There was then a period when both teams attempted to get their breath back before Zain scored again on 20 minutes, only for Nada Al Sharif to reduce the deficit once more on 23 minutes.
The second half produced nearly as much excitement, with both teams having chances thwarted by fine saves, desperate clearances and the woodwork, but no further goals were added and Venus ran out worthy 3-2 winners.
The Arsenal U21 v Seef Dental clash was equally exciting, with the 21s taking a 2-0 lead after 11 minutes with Latifa Al Khalifa and Teddy Walton scoring. But three explosive second half strikes – from Sandra dos Santos and two in a minute from Karin Bashir – put the Seef team into an unexpected lead.
With a minute to go, however, a penalty was awarded for a Seef handball inside the penalty area and Phoebe License calmly stepped up to take the kick and a share of the points.
Joga TFA got back to winning ways with a comfortable win over the Gunners. While the Gunners tried to play some creative football, they were overwhelmed by the fast-flowing pace of Joga who secured four goals from Reem Murad, and one apiece from Ashwaq Ibrahim and Rawan Al Sadiq. Deena Rahman’s strike proved to be a consolation reply.
This week’s action sees the reverse of the opening week’s games, with Arsenal Ladies taking on Seef Dental, Venus against the Gunners, and the 21s facing Joga.
