Euro pair fly the flag, Bayern crowned - WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
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| AFP |
Yet another mouth-watering UEFA Women’s Champions League final between French and German opponents is set after Lyon and VFL Wolfsburg each booked their progression with emphatic aggregate victories. FIFA.com’s latest women’s club football review takes in the best in European continental club action, plus also Bayern Munich’s coronation in Germany, a heavyweight match-up in the USA-based NWSL, plus the latest from England.
UEFA Women’s Champions League: Heavyweight pair confirm rematch
Lyon and VFL Wolfsburg will reprise their 2013 UEFA Women’s Champions League final meeting later this month after the pair eased into the Italy-based decider. Lyon’s progress was never in doubt following a remarkable 7-0 first-leg victory over a strong Paris Saint-Germain side. And the reigning French champions added salt to their rivals’ wounds in Paris as Lotta Schelin scored the only goal of the return match on Monday evening. A day earlier Wolfsburg lost by the same 1-0 scoreline amid windy conditions, but a 4-0 opening win meant they too remained comfortable, even if a last-minute goal from Frankfurt’s Marith Priessen slightly sullied the home team’s day. The two finalists are each two-time winners, with Wolfsburg 1-0 victors when the pair met in the decider three years ago.
Germany: Bayern finally crowned
Bayern Munich put aside several recent hiccups to finally seal the league title for the second successive year. The Bavarians eased past Bayer Leverkusen with five unanswered goals to retain their crown with two matches in hand. Prolific young Dutch striker Vivianne Miedema led the way scoring a treble. Having won their maiden crown last season Bayern, like their male counterparts, will undoubtedly seek to build a domestic hegemony. “What the team has done over the last ten months is sensational," said Bayern coach Thomas Worle. "Our character has been the key to the championship." Meanwhile, VFL Wolfsburg and 1.FFC Frankfurt will continue to joust for second spot in their midweek matches.
Top three: Bayern Munich (53 points), Wolfsburg (41), Frankfurt (37)
USA: Big two shape up
Washington Spirit may have an early hold on top spot in the NWSL, but all eyes were on Seattle as the teams who have featured in the past two championship deciders faced off. This time – unlike in those previous two encounters – it was Seattle Reign who triumphed over FC Kansas City. A lone second-half strike from Kim Little was enough for the home side to earn victory and stay third. Champions Kansas – who lost Leigh Ann Brown, Amy LePeilbet and Lauren Holiday to retirement during the off-season – sit in the unusual position of second last. Meanwhile, the unheralded Spirit continue to impress with a Diana Matheson double helping the side maintain a 100 per cent record with a 3-0 win at Western New York Flash. New club Orlando Pride dominated for periods at Boston Breakers, only to be beaten by a Christen Press goal.
Top three: Washington Spirit (9), Portland Thorns (7), Seattle Reign, Chicago Red Stars (both 6)
England: City stay perfect
Six different goalscorers netted as Manchester City hit half a dozen unanswered goals past Doncaster Rovers Belles to leave the league leaders sitting pretty with five wins from as many starts. City are six points clear of reigning champions Chelsea, though the latter have two matches in hand. Regardless of those two outstanding matches, City’s upcoming visit to London to face the Blues is set to be a potentially pivotal contest. Arsenal failed to take advantage of Chelsea’s inactivity, with the Gunners held to a scoreless stalemate at home by Birmingham City.
Top three: Manchester City (15), Chelsea (9), Arsenal (7)