In a heart-pounding final, Jordan defended its WAFF Women’s Championship title for the sixth time, overcoming a determined Nepal squad in a dramatic penalty shootout. After a thrilling 2-2 draw in regulation time, Jordan clinched the victory 5-3 in the shootout.
Nepal, an invited team making their championship debut, shocked the crowd with a fierce performance worthy of a seasoned competitor. Sabita Rana Magar put Nepal on the board in the 29th minute, giving them an early lead they held throughout the first half.
The momentum shifted in the second half as Jordan’s Lana Ferras found the back of the net in the 74th minute, equalizing the score. Sarah Abu Sabah pushed Jordan into the lead in the 89th minute, putting Nepal on the brink of defeat.
But in a stunning twist, Nepal was awarded a penalty in the second minute of injury time. Gita Rana stepped up to the spot and calmly converted, sending the match into a tense penalty shootout.
Nepal’s Geeta Rana, Deepa Shahi, and Hira Bhujel all scored their penalties, but it was Jordan’s goalkeeper who sealed their victory. A brilliant save against Amrita Jaishi’s shot ended Nepal’s Cinderella run, crowning Jordan as champions once again.
This final marked the culmination of impressive runs for both teams. Nepal edged out Lebanon 2-1 in the semifinals, while Jordan handily defeated Palestine 5-0. Despite the difference in FIFA rankings (Nepal at 115th, Jordan at 74th), the match underscored Nepal’s rising talent and the intensity of competition within the WAFF region.
