Afghanistan women's football team returns to pitch in Australia

MELBOURNE: The Afghanistan women's football team has returned to the field after its evacuation from the Taliban-led country last year, helped by A-League team Melbourne Victory.

Victory is providing its support to the members of the team who relocated to Melbourne following the fall of the Afghan government in August, allowing the Taliban to take back control of the country after 20 years and again place women's sports in jeopardy. The team is looking to compete in Victoria's senior women's competition this year and held its first training session in Melbourne on Saturday.

"All the girls are excited about playing together again," team captain and goalkeeper Fatema, who uses only one name, told Australian Associated Press.

"We wanted to stay together as a team to show that the Taliban can take away our country, but not our right to play the sport we love and will ask for everyone's support so that we can continue our international careers."

The team will play under Victory's banner this year, with full support of the club's football operations. IANS

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