AMMAN, JORDAN
Gokulam Kerala FC suffered a 1-2 loss at the hands of Jordanian side Amman Club at the Aqaba Development Corporate Stadium in Amman on Sunday.
Gokulam, playing in the pilot edition of the AFC Women's Club Championship, opened the scoring in the match through their Ghanaian forward Elshaddai Acheampong, but Amman scored twice in the second half from dead-ball situations.
It was a quick start to the match as both sides looked for a breakthrough in the opening exchanges. Gokulam's goalkeeper and captain Aditi Chauhan made a few well-judged saves to keep Amman at bay before providing an assist for the opening goal in the 33rd minute. After making a save, the keeper launched a long ball to Elshaddai, who outpaced her marker and chipped it over the onrushing goalkeeper to score.
After the half-time break, however, it was a different story as Amman surged forward looking for a reply. They had the perfect opportunity to do so near the hour mark, when Gokulam defender Michel Castanha was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the penalty area following a VAR decision. Amman SC captain Maysa Ziad stepped up and made no mistake, as she planted her shot into the back of the net.
The momentum shifted in Amman’s favour and they doubled their advantage in the 67th minute after Samia Ouni curled her free-kick around the wall past a diving Aditi for the winner.
The Malabarians will now face Shahrdari Sirjan of Iran in their next match on Wednesday.
RESULT: Gokulam Kerala FC 1 (Elshaddai Acheampong 33') lost to Amman Club 2 (Maysa Ziad 59’pen, Samia Ouni 67’)
