Goals galore as seasons start - WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
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The waiting is finally over for fans of women’s football in Germany and France as the new season got underway in both countries at the weekend. In the land of the two-time world champions, FF USV Jena were given a lesson by VfL Wolfsburg, and Bayern Munich already seem to be in scintillating form. In France, meanwhile, Olympique Lyon and Montpellier demonstrated an impressive hunger for goals. FIFA.com brings you all the latest news from the women’s game.
Germany: Wolfsburg win at a canter, newcomers Bremen pack a punch
Reigning champions Bayern Munich could not have made a better start to the defence of their crown, securing a resounding 3-1 victory over Turbine Potsdam in the first match of the 26th Bundesliga season. All four goals were scored by new signings, with Scot Lisa Evans and a brace from German international Sara Dabritz making the difference for Bayern, while Australian Elise Kellond-Knight netted a consolation strike for the Torbienen.
German Cup holders Wolfsburg also hit the ground running after the summer break with a 8-0 rout of Jena in their opener. As well as a brace from Tessa Wullaert, Alexandra Popp, Julia Simic, Verena Faisst, Synne Jensen, Elise Bussaglia and Vanessa Bernauer also got their names on the scoresheet. “We’re delighted to have made such a sensational start,” said VfL coach Ralf Kellermann afterwards. “We never expected such a high score in an away match. We performed really, really well at times in the first half and took a deserved 4-0 lead. Although I was less pleased with the first 20 minutes after the break, we played well from the back and created plenty of opportunities once more. It was an extremely strong performance overall. We couldn’t have got off to a better start.”
Champions League winners 1. FFC Frankfurt found the going tougher against Essen, securing a hard-fought 2-0 win thanks to strikes from Yuki Ogimi and Isabelle Linden. Elsewhere, newly promoted Werder Bremen sent out a signal to their new top-flight rivals, overpowering 1. FC Koln 6-2 to take second place.
Top three: Wolfsburg, Werder Bremen, Sand (all 3 points)
France: Two teams, 14 goals
Olympique Lyon and Montpellier began their latest Division 1 Feminine campaigns by scoring seven goals apiece. Holders Lyon posted a resounding 7-0 victory over VGA Saint-Maur, with World Cup participants Louisa Necib, Ada Negerberg and Lotta Schelin all netting twice and Eugenie Le Sommer adding another, while Montpellier got the better of Nimes FF by the same scoreline. Last season’s runners-up Paris Saint-Germain, who enlisted the sharpshooting skills of German international Anja Mittag during the summer break, made a seamless start to their latest title bid with a 5-0 win over Rodez AF. Goals from Mittag, Sabrina Delannoy, Laura Georges and a brace from Marie-Laure Delie wrapped up the four points for the team from the French capital.
Top three: Montpellier, Olympique Lyon, Paris Saint-Germain (all 4)
USA: Play-off spots confirmed
With the regular NWSL season slowly drawing to a close, the four teams taking part in the play-offs have now been confirmed, with Seattle Reign due to battle it out with Chicago Red Stars, FC Kansas City and Washington Spirit. Defending champions Portland Thorns will play no part in the final round of the US championship after a 3-3 draw with Washington Spirit left the Oregon side in fifth place with 23 points. The result also means an early start to the post-season break for Nadine Angerer, who was honoured with a choreographed fan display before the final home game of the season at a packed Providence Park.
Seattle Reign’s dynamic duo Jessica Fishlock and Kim Little once again caused a sensation for the league leaders as Fishlock netted a 90th-minute equaliser against Sky Blue FC thanks to an assist from Little. Seattle are set to face Washington in the last game of the regular season.
Top three: Seattle Reign (40), Chicago Red Stars (32), Washington Spirit (30)
Sweden: Rosengard falter
The departure of three high-calibre players halfway through the season – Therese Sjogran’s retirement, Anja Mittag’s move to Paris Saint-Germain and Ramona Bachmann’s Wolfsburg switch – appears to have weakened Rosengard. The Swedish championship holders are struggling and have recorded three wins, five draws and one defeat in nine matches since the World Cup break.
In the 16th round of matches, Brazil superstar Marta and her team-mates left Pitea with a 2-2 draw that forced them to relinquish their top spot to Eskilstuna United. Coach Viktor Eriksson’s side defeated AIK 3-0 on Monday evening to move ahead of the reigning champions.
Top three: Eskilstuna (37), Rosengard (35), Linkopings (31)