Double relief for Frankfurt - WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
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| AFP |
German giants 1. FFC Frankfurt have experienced few weeks as intense as the past seven days after securing two consecutive last-gasp wins. Elsewhere, Australian newcomers Melbourne City are going from strength to strength, while the excitement continues to build in Europe’s most prestigious club competition.
UEFA Champions League: LSK Kvinner miss out on surprise victory
1. FFC Frankfurt suffered a real scare in Europe, before eventually defeating Lillestrom-based side LSK Kvinner 5-4 on penalties. The defending champions won 2-0 in Sweden only for the underdogs to record the same scoreline after both 90 and 120 minutes during the return leg in Hessen. “We’re very relieved but utterly drained,” said FFC coach Colin Bell after the shootout.
Among the other teams to secure a quarter-final berth were former winners Olympique Lyon and Wolfsburg, with the French champions celebrating a dominant 9-1 aggregate triumph over Atletico Madrid, while the Germans comfortably defeated Chelsea 4-1 over two legs. Lyon’s domestic rivals Paris Saint-Germain recorded a far narrower win over Sweden’s KIF Orebro DFF, with a single away goal in their 1-1 first-leg draw enough to ensure progression after a goalless stalemate at home in the return fixture. Meanwhile, Slavia Prague reached the last eight for the first time, where they will be joined by Rosengard, Barcelona and Brescia.
Germany: Marozsan comes to Frankfurt’s aid
Despite almost causing the sensation of the weekend, Jena ultimately let the UEFA Women’s Champions League holders off the hook. The outsiders were on course for a 4-4 draw until German international Dzsenifer Marozsan completed her brace in the second minute of stoppage time to secure a last-gasp victory and relieve the pressure for Colin Bell’s team after enduring four successive Bundesliga games without a win.
Reigning champions Bayern Munich defended their position at the top of the table, beating Bayer Leverkusen 5-0 to extend their unbeaten run to nine games this season, while Dutch international Vivianne Miedema’s hat-trick earned her a player-of-the match accolade. Elsewhere, Turbine Potsdam put their earlier frustrations aside, defeating Koln 4-0 at home to record their third win of the current campaign and lift them to eighth in the standings with a tally of ten points.
Top four: Bayern Munich (25), Wolfsburg (19), SGS Essen, 1. FFC Frankfurt (both 16)
Australia: Melbourne still unstoppable
Melbourne City continue to set the pace in the W-League, delivering another flawless performance on their most recent outing to beat Brisbane Roar 4-0. Under the watchful eye of coach Joe Montemurro, the Australian top flight’s newest team extended their winning streak to six victories, with 22 goals scored and just three conceded. Scottish attacking midfielder Kim Little and Australian Larissa Crummer netted a brace apiece in the second half after Brisbane’s American goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer frustrated the hosts with a series of impressive saves before the interval.
Adelaide United are Melbourne’s closest league challengers despite already lagging ten points behind the leaders. The Lady Reds failed to take all three points from their encounter with Newcastle Jets after Tara Andrews’ equaliser cancelled out Tiarn Powell’s opener with just six minutes remaining. Elsewhere Nicole Begg’s last-minute strike ensured a 1-0 win for Canberra United at FC Sydney and lifted the reigning champions to third in the standings.
Top five: Melbourne City FC (18), Adelaide United (8), Canberra United, Western Sydney Wanderers, Perth Glory (all 7)