Abu Dhabi: Al Sadika of Lebanon showed lots of grit to hold the fancied Abu Dhabi Sports Club to a 1-1 draw in a group match of the second ladies' football tournament, being organised by the Abu Dhabi Health and Fitness Club.
The Abu Dhabi side, who trounced Oman's Boshor Club 4-0 on Thursday, ran into a highly organised Lebanese side who did very well to rally from an early deficit to share two points and two goals.
Jaleela Al Nuaimi, who was included in the playing XI on Friday, seized an early opportunity to shoot home after being put through by Leen Esmail.
However, Al Sadika got back into the game soon after and never allowed the fast-paced Abu Dhabi girls much space. Mirfat Abbas, in charge of shadowing ADSC's main player Sara Hasnein, stuck to her job well. That made it more difficult for ADSC, while Sara Bakri took the attack to the rival camp.
The ADSC goalkeeper Horaya Daheri would have been sitting comfortably at the halfway stage.
Good save
Horaya brought off a good save when she advanced to thwart Hanah Ashoor and, just before the break, Lara Buslain's shot was also parried by the ADCS custodian.
Al Sadika kept pressing and, soon after resumption, Hanah headed home off a flagkick and the home fans were silenced.
Earlier, in another group encounter, Amman Club from Jordan beat Batulex, Lebanon 10-0.
Horaya was back in action when she blocked a powerful drive from Sara Bakri and just before the close a poor refereeing decision almost halted proceedings.
Following a goalmouth melee, ADSC's Eisha Saleh was baulked and she fell in the process and the referee blew for a penalty. The Lebanese coach almost pulled his team out but wiser council prevailed and they resumed play.
And Sara Hasnein shot the penalty out which left the Lebanese players celebrating as the final whistle came soon after.
Earlier in another group encounter, Amman Club from Jordan beat Batulex, Lebanon 10-0. Yasmeen Salim helped herself to four goals while Maitha Zaid slammed three. Two goals from Stephanie and one from Abeer Muhairi completed a hapless night for the Lebanese team.
Six teams are in the fray for this annual event which is being held under the patronage of Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the Abu Dhabi Health & Fitness Club.
