In a tense football match that kept everyone on the edge of their seats until the very last moment, Al-Ittihad Women’s Football Team succeeded in winning third place and the bronze medal in the first edition of the “Challenge Cup” tournament for Premier League teams, after defeating their traditional rival Al-Ahli in the exciting Jeddah derby that brought them together on Saturday evening.
Marathon match scenario
The match was not just an ordinary placement game, but rather a football epic that reflected the development of women's football in the Kingdom. Al-Ahli took the lead and controlled the game for long periods, with Dalia Adel opening the scoring in the 60th minute, and the brilliant Moroccan professional Ibtissam Jraidi adding a second goal in the 79th minute, leading everyone to believe that the match was decided in favor of "Al-Raqui".
However, Al-Ittihad's women displayed a high fighting spirit, with Brazilian Laetitia Nunes narrowing the gap by scoring their first goal in the 89th minute. Just as the referee was about to blow the final whistle, Lamar Mohammed surprised everyone by scoring a dramatic equalizer in the 90+5th minute, bringing the match back to square one and sending it to penalties, where Al-Ittihad emerged victorious with a 3-1 scoreline.
Al-Nasr are the champions of the first edition
As for the competition for the title, Al-Nasr team was crowned champion of the first edition of the tournament after its well-deserved victory over its traditional rival Al-Hilal by two goals to one in the final match, confirming Al-Nasr’s dominance and strong presence in the Saudi women’s football scene.
The context of the tournament and its strategic objectives
The "Challenge Cup," also known as the "Winter Challenge," is a key strategic step in the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's calendar. Its primary aim is to improve players' physical fitness and increase their actual playing time during off-seasons, thus helping to maintain competitive rhythm.
This competition is part of a series of initiatives launched by the Federation to develop women's football, in line with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which places great emphasis on empowering women in the sports sector. The tournament also aims to enhance the readiness of clubs for upcoming seasons, specifically in preparation for the 2025-2026 season, which is expected to witness a significant leap in the level of professionalism and competition.
Tournament and Participation System
The tournament witnessed the participation of elite clubs from the Women's Premier League, where the participating teams were divided into two groups based on geographical distribution to ensure equal opportunities and reduce the burden of travel. The division was as follows:
- Group (A) – Central and Eastern Region: It included Al-Nasr, Al-Hilal, Al-Qadisiyah and Sho’la Al-Sharqiyah clubs.
- Group (B) – Western and Northern Region: included Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad, Al-Ula and Neom clubs.
This organization reflects the geographical expansion of the game and its spread in various regions of the Kingdom, which bodes well for the future of Saudi women's football at the regional and international levels.
