In the scintillating opening match of the Saudi Arabia Women's League, fans were treated to a remarkable display of skill and determination as Ashleigh Plumptre, the Nigerian defender, scored a sensational hat-trick on her debut for Al Ittihad Ladies.
This unforgettable performance led her team to a comfortable victory over Tochi Oluehi's Eastern Flames FC, with the final score reading 3-0 in favor of Al-Ittihad.
Ashleigh Plumptre's first career hat-trick as it happened:
The 2023 Saudi Arabia Women's League opener was highly anticipated, and Plumptre did not disappoint.
In a match that was nothing short of a spectacle, the young Nigerian defender showcased her incredible talents, scoring her first career hat-trick in just 30 minutes of play.
The first goal came in the 30th minute when Ashleigh Plumptre found the back of the net, giving Al-Ittihad the lead. Her precise finish set the tone for the match, and the first half concluded with Al-Ittihad holding a 1-0 advantage.
In the 61st minute, Plumptre struck again, doubling her team's lead with a well-placed shot.
Just five minutes later, in the 66th minute, she completed her remarkable hat-trick with a brilliant display of skill and composure in front of goal.
This incredible feat added three goals to her career tally, bringing her total to eight goals.
Our tiger shines with a hat-trick! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/hJpim6vFCk
— Al-Ittihad Ladies | سيدات الاتØاد (@ittiladiesclub) October 14, 2023
Ashleigh Plumptre's commitment to Al-Ittihad Ladies
While Plumptre's performance was exceptional, what made it even more impressive was her decision to focus on her club commitments with Al-Ittihad Ladies.
Despite her obvious talent, she made the tough call not to join the Super Falcons squad and had not been called up for the last two international breaks since the World Cup.
Ashleigh Plumptre's journey to Al-Ittihad Ladies began on September 13, 2023, when she signed for the Saudi Premier League club.
This move followed her departure from Leicester City, which came after the expiration of her contract in July 2023.
Plumptre's decision to focus on her club career appears to be paying off, as her hat-trick on debut has already established her as a force to be reckoned with in the Saudi Arabia Women's League.
Her versatility as a defender and her ability to contribute to the attack make her a valuable asset for Al-Ittihad Ladies.
The Saudi Arabia Women's League opener will undoubtedly be remembered as the day Ashleigh Plumptre stole the spotlight with her remarkable performance, marking her arrival in the league in style.
With a bright future ahead, fans and pundits alike are eager to see how she will continue to make her mark on the world of women's football in Saudi Arabia.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago