Shahnaz Jebreen

More than a goal for Jordan

Even the biggest football fan could be forgiven for missing the most momentous goal so far at the Asian Games here in Guangzhou.

A long-range strike from Jordan's Maysa Jbarah on Sunday came sandwiched in the middle of 10 goals for their opponents, China –  a powerhouse of women's football in Asia and the hosts of this tournament of 42 sports and 12,000 athletes.

The 21-year-old's goal was Jordan's first at an Asian Games, coming four years after the team conceded 30 and scored none at their first appearance at the competition in Doha.

The quality of the finish – and the way the chance was created by fellow Amman-born strike partner Shahnaz Jebreen – showed that Jordan can have a future in a sport where the gulf in class between the top and bottom sides can produce brutal scorelines.

As China's coach Li Xiaopeng said after the teams' opening Group A match: "Our girls did a good job, but Jordan's one goal is more important than our 10 goals."