Afghanistan women’s national team plays first competitive match in exile

AUSTRALIA — Eight months after being forced to flee for their lives as the Taliban seized control of their homeland, the Afghanistan women’s national team marked another monumental step in their journey on Sunday, officially returning to competitive football.

On a small pitch at Delahey Reserve, half an hour’s drive west of Melbourne, Australia, the national team in exile took to the field for the first game of Victoria’s 2022 State League 4 campaign, playing out a scoreless 90 minutes against ETA Buffalo.

“It feels so good. We played again as a team. Together,” Murfal* told ESPN. “That’s the best part, that we have each other and we’re again together. That’s a good thing for all of us.

“The result is not important, actually, because we have each other. It’s such a happy occasion for us.”

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Murfal and her teammates’ journey to this point is, unfortunately, well known. The group were among the hundreds of sportswomen forced to flee Afghanistan as the Taliban seized control of the country in August 2021, their status as female athletes putting them in danger of persecution and possible reprisal from the insurgent group.

After frantic efforts to secure their evacuation to Australia, the team, with the encouragement of former captain Khalida Popal, made the decision to stay together as a unit upon their arrival in their new homeland. In doing so, they hope to mount a case to FIFA, national federations and governments that they should still be recognised as representatives of Afghanistan and able to represent them on the world stage.

What this actual process of recognition and elevation to international football remains unclear but under the banner of Melbourne Victory FC AWT — the A-League club is supplying full operational, administrative and coaching support for the squad — Sunday…