Amman SC secure comeback win over Gokulam Kerala in AFC Women's Club Championship

Goals from Maysa Jbarah and Samia Ouni helped the hosts beat the Malabarians.

Amman SC produced a stirring second half fight back to defeat Gokulam Kerala FC 2-1 in the AFC Women’s Club Championship 2021 at the Aqaba Development Corporate Stadium on Sunday.

Elshaddai Acheampong’s strike gave Gokulam Kerala a 1-0 lead going into the break but Amman came back fighting in the second half with goals from Maysa Jbarah and Samia Ouni sealing them victory.

All eyes were on Gokulam Kerala, who started with new recruits Susan Ama Duah in defence, Win Theingi Tun and Elshaddai Acheampong in attack, but it was Amman who had the first look on goal in the second minute.

[KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

Ghada Ayadi threaded a well-timed pass to Shahnaz Jebreen, who dribbled into the box but her lob was deflected over the bar by Gokulam custodian Aditi Chauhan.

Chauhan was on top of her game moments later to deny Jebreen’s low drive, while Maysa Jbarah should have done better in the 11th minute when she failed to find the target with her half-volley.

Gokulam played a patient game and struck in the 33rd minute when Chauhan sent a clever long ball to Acheampong, who muscled her way past the defence before sending a delightful lob over Amman goalkeeper Malak Shannak.

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News |ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

Jebreen came agonisingly close to levelling the tie three minutes later but was denied by the bar with Enas Aljamaeen failing to put the ball into the back of the net on the follow-up as Gokulam took a 1-0 lead going into the break.

Amman came out fighting in the second half and their persistence paid off when they levelled the score on the hour mark through Jbarah’s penalty strike after Michel Margaret Castanha was caught for a handball inside the area following a VAR decision. 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.

Amman Club will meet FC Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan on Wednesday while Gokulam Kerala will face Islamic Republic of Iran’s Shahrdari Sirjan.

For more football updates, follow Khel Now on Twitter, Instagram and join our community on Telegram.