Afghanistan women's national football team
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Nickname(s) | The Lions of Afghanistan (شیران خراسان) | ||
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Association | Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) | ||
Confederation | AFC (Asia) | ||
Sub-confederation | CAFF (Central Asia) | ||
Head coach | Kelly Lindsey | ||
Captain | Shabnam Mobarez | ||
Most caps | Unknown | ||
Top scorer | Marjan Haydaree (5) | ||
Home stadium | Ghazi Stadium | ||
FIFA code | AFG | ||
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FIFA ranking | |||
Current | NR (26 August 2016) | ||
Highest | 108 (December 2013) | ||
Lowest | 138 (September 2015) | ||
First international | |||
![]() ![]() (Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh; 14 December 2010) [1] | |||
Biggest win | |||
![]() ![]() (Colombo, Sri Lanka; 10 September 2012) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
![]() ![]() (Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh; 14 December 2010) |
The Afghanistan women's national football team (Dari: تیم ملی فوتبال زنان افغانستان) is the women's national team of Afghanistan and is controlled by the Afghanistan Football Federation. They play the majority of their home games at the Ghazi National Olympic Stadium in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.
Due to the conditions in Afghanistan and the controversy surrounding the female Muslim football teams, it has been difficult for the Afghanistan Football Federation to obtain long-term sponsorship. In May 2010, Danish sports brand Hummel International signed up the male, female and youth teams of Afghanistan.[2]
Currently, the Afghan team is coached by Kelly Lindsey, who is assisted by Haley Carter. Both of these women partner with former Afghanistan Women's National Team member Khalida Popal. The team is currently preparing for the 2016 SAFF Women's Championship that will be held in India this November. The official roster for this tournament has not been announced. There are around 25 women's football teams around the country and the Football Federation considers to hold the first national football tournament in the country this year.
In December 2010, the team played its first official international game, against Nepal, during the South Asian Football Federation Women's Championships in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. On 16 February 2012 they completed a 2–0 win against Qatar, their first official international victory. On 10 June 2014 Afghanistan Football Federation moved from South Asian Football Federation to Central Asian Football Federation.
History
Early History
The team was formed in 2007 by the Afghanistan National Olympic Committee with players taken from selected school girls in Kabul.[3][4][5][6][7][8] That year, the team played for the first time against the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) women's side, which Afghanistan won 5–0. In 2008, the team traveled to Pakistan to participate in the second national tournament of Pakistan. There they won their group stage and semi-final games but lost to Baluchistan in the final.[citation needed]
In an attempt to improve the quality of women's football, the team was sent to Germany in 2008 to hold a preparation camp. Later in the year, the Afghan team traveled to Jordan to participate in the Islamic Countries Women's Football Tournament.[9] However, the results this time were less favourable as they faced established and more experienced teams for the first time. Afghanistan lost all its games by at least 17 goals. [citation needed]
In February 2009, the team went to Jordan again, but this time for a training camp. The Netherlands' Women's Football Federation has shown interest in helping the team and has invited them for a training camp in Netherlands.[citation needed] In October 2010 the team played a friendly match against ISAF on the NATO ground in Kabul. The Afghans won 1–0.[citation needed]
2010 SAFF Women's Championship
The 2010 SAFF Women's Championship in Bangladesh marked the first appearance of Afghanistan in a major international tournament. In it, they played their first official game, against Nepal, in where they were defeated by an overwhelming 13–0. Then, they faced their neighboring rivals, Pakistan, and lost by the score of 3–0. In their last game, they faced Maldives, which ended with the unequal score of 2–2. Afghanistan was subsequently eliminated of the tournament with only one point.
2012 SAFF Women's Championship
The 2012 SAFF Women's Championship in Sri Lanka was the second time that Afghanistan disputed an international tournament. They faced Maldives in their first game and drew 1–1. Diba Naweed scored the team's only goal in that match. The following game with Pakistan marked Afghanistan's second win, with an abundant 4–0. Hailai Arghandiwal and Marjan Haydaree scored one goal each, while Shabnam Rohin scored two goals in the match. The last group phase game was against Nepal, who ended in a heavy defeat of 7–1. The only goal was scored by Marjan Haydaree. Afghanistan advanced to the Semi-Finals after being placed second in the group. The match of the Semi-Finals was with India, which ended with a crushing defeat of 11–0. Thus, Afghanistan ended as one of the Semi-Final losers.
2014 SAFF Women's Championship
The 2014 SAFF Women's Championship in Pakistan was the third time that Afghanistan disputed an international tournament. Their first game ended in a defeat of 6–1 against Bangladesh. The goal was scored by Marjan Haydaree. They lost the second match against Maldives by 1–0. Their third and last encounter ended in a crushing defeat of 12–0 against India. Afghanistan were eliminated of the tournament with 0 points. Also, it's Afghanistan's worst participation in the SAFF Women's Championship.
2016 Efforts
2016 marks a big year for the Afghanistan Women's National Team as they have received support from the Afghanistan Football Federation and hired a new coaching staff consisting of head coach Kelly Lindsey, assistant coach Haley Carter, and program director Khalida Popal. The team has also hired fitness coach John De Witt, PhD and team physio Joelle Muro, DPT.
Along with these hires, the team is preparing for the 2016 SAFF Women's Championship to be held in India this December.
The team also has a partnership with Diehard Scarves who are producing official Afghanistan Women's National Team Supporter Scarves. A portion of the proceeds from these sales go to the team in their fundraising efforts in preparation for the 2016 SAFF Women's Championship.[10]
The team won Tournament AFSO 2016.
Kit
In 2011 the Afghanistan Football Federation had signed a 4-year contract with Hummel, to provide both the Men's and the Women's National Team for all of the sportswear from 2011 till 2015. On 6 March 2015, the Afghan Football Federation signed a new 4-year contract with hummel till 2019.
In 2016, Hummel designed a ground-breaking uniform for the Afghanistan Women's National Team which included an integrated hijab. This provides more flexibility with movements that the players can use while wearing their uniforms.
Period | Kit provider |
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2009–2019 | ![]() |
Competition Records
Tournament AFSO: Winner 2016
World Cup record
World Cup Finals | |||||||||
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Year | Result | Position | GP | W | D* | L | GF | GA | GD |
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To Be Determined | ||||||||
Total | 0/8 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
AFC Women's Asian Cup record
Women's Asian Cup | |||||||||
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Year | Result | GP | W | D* | L | GF | GA | GD | |
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Total | 0/18 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
SAFF Championship record
SAFF Championship | |||||||||
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Year | Result | GP | W | D* | L | GF | GA | GD | |
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Group Stage | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 18 | −16 | |
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Semi-Finals | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 19 | −13 | |
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Group Stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 19 | −18 | |
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To Be Determined | ||||||||
Total | 4/4 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 56 | −47 |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
Recent results and schedule
2010
14 December 2010 2010 SAFF Championship | Nepal ![]() | 13–0 | ![]() | Cox's Bazar, Nepal |
16 December 2010 2010 SAFF Championship | Pakistan ![]() | 3–0 | ![]() | Cox's Bazar, Nepal |
18 December 2010 2010 SAFF Championship | Maldives ![]() | 2–2 | ![]() | Cox's Bazar, Nepal |
2012
16 February 2012 Friendly | Qatar ![]() | 0–2 | ![]() | Doha, Qatar |
Report[permanent dead link] | Haydaree ![]() |
Stadium: Aspire Zone, Doha |
8 September 2012 2012 SAFF Championship | Maldives ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
15:30 (SLST) | Afza ![]() |
Report | Naweed ![]() |
Stadium: CR & FC Grounds, Colombo |
10 September 2012 2012 SAFF Championship | Pakistan ![]() | 0–4 | ![]() | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
15:30 (SLST) | Report | Rohin ![]() Arghandiwal ![]() Haydaree ![]() |
Stadium: CR & FC Grounds, Colombo |
12 September 2012 2012 SAFF Championship | Nepal ![]() | 7–1 | ![]() | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
08:30 (SLST) | Thapa ![]() Gurung ![]() Rana ![]() Lama ![]() |
Report | Haydaree ![]() |
Stadium: CR & FC Grounds, Colombo |
14 September 2012 2012 SAFF Championship | India ![]() | 11–0 | ![]() | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
08:30 (SLST) | K. Devi ![]() P. Devi ![]() B. Devi ![]() Malik ![]() R. Devi ![]() Magar ![]() |
Report | Stadium: CR & FC Grounds, Colombo |
2013
23 August 2013 Friendly | Kyrgyzstan ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() | Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan |
Report | Sahar ![]() |
25 August 2013 Friendly | Kazakhstan ![]() | 0–2 | ![]() | Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan |
Report |
27 August 2013 Friendly | Tajikistan ![]() | Cancelled | ![]() | Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan |
Report |
2014
13 November 2014 2014 SAFF Championship | Bangladesh ![]() | 6–1 | ![]() | Islamabad, Pakistan |
M. Rana ![]() S. Rana ![]() Khatoon ![]() Ather ![]() |
Report | Haydaree ![]() |
Stadium: Jinnah Sports Stadium, Islamabad |
15 November 2014 2014 SAFF Championship | Maldives ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() | Islamabad, Pakistan |
Rifa ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Jinnah Sports Stadium, Islamabad |
17 November 2014 2014 SAFF Championship | Afghanistan ![]() | 0–12 | ![]() | Islamabad, Pakistan |
Report | I. Devi ![]() N. Devi ![]() P. Devi ![]() M. Devi ![]() |
Stadium: Jinnah Sports Stadium, Islamabad |
2015
20 September 2015 Friendly | Afghanistan ![]() | 0–14 | ![]() | Hiroshima, Japan |
11:00 (UTC+9) | Report | Stadium: Hiroshima Big Arch, Hiroshima |
2016
31 August 2016 Friendly | Afghanistan ![]() | 1–3 | ![]() | Palo Alto, United States |
11:00 (UTC+9) | Stadium: Cagan stadium, Palo Alto |
2 September 2016 2016 AFSO Tournament | Afghanistan ![]() | 5–3 | ![]() | Dublin, California United States |
18:00 (UTC+06:00) | Stadium: Sports Park, Dublin |
3 September 2016 2016 AFSO Tournament | Afghanistan ![]() | 9–0 | ![]() | Dublin, California United States |
15:00 (UTC+03:00) | Stadium: Sports Park, Dublin |
4 September 2016 2016 AFSO Tournament | Afghanistan ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() | Dublin, California United States |
15:00 (UTC+03:00) | Stadium: Sports Park, Dublin |
4 September 2016 2016 AFSO Tournament | Afghanistan ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() | Dublin, California United States |
15:30 (UTC+03:30) | Stadium: Sports Park, Dublin |
Record against other countries
Against | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GF | GA | GD |
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1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 |
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1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | +9 |
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2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 |
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1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 |
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1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14 | −14 |
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1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | −5 |
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2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 23 | −23 |
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1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 |
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1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 |
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3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 |
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2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 20 | −19 |
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2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 |
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1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 |
Total | 19 | 8 | 2 | 9 | 32 | 77 | −45 |
Personnel
Current Technical Staff
Position | Name |
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Head Coach | ![]() |
Assistant Coach | ![]() |
Program Director | ![]() |
Fitness Coach | ![]() |
Physiotherapist | ![]() |
Home stadium
The major football matches in Afghanistan are held at the Afghan Football Federation Stadium (popularly known as the Ghazi Stadium) in Kabul. It was built during the reign of King Amanullah Khan in 1923. The stadium has a capacity of around 25,000 people.
Managers
See also
References
- ^ "Afghanistan: Fixtures and Results". Fifa.com. Retrieved 2012-09-19.
- ^ Johannsen, Alissa (2011-07-26). "Afghanistan Women: Kicking and Dreaming | Women's Health Magazine". Womenshealthmag.com. Retrieved 2012-09-19.
- ^ Marzban, Omid (2007-09-13). "Afghanistan: Once Whipped By Taliban, Girl Makes Mark As Soccer Star". Rferl.org. Retrieved 2012-09-19.
- ^ "The Afghan national womens soccer team | Journal Reporter". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-09-19.
- ^ Nick Paton Walsh (2011-06-08). "Afghan women footballers risk death threats, disapproval – CNN". Articles.cnn.com. Retrieved 2012-09-19.
- ^ "BBC News – Women's football in Afghanistan". Bbc.co.uk. 2010-11-17. Retrieved 2012-09-19.
- ^ "For a Women's Soccer Team, Competing Is a Victory". New York Times. Retrieved 2012-09-19.
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suggested) (help) - ^ "NATO in Afghanistan – The Afghan ladies national football team". YouTube. 2011-12-05. Retrieved 2012-09-19.
- ^ "Bend It in Baden-Württemberg: Afghan Women Footballers Hone Their Skills in Stuttgart – SPIEGEL ONLINE". Spiegel.de. Retrieved 2012-09-19.
- ^ "Afghanistan Women's National Team Efforts". Girl Power. Girl Power Organization. Retrieved 30 October 2016.