Glasgow City defeat FC Twente to reach the last 32 of the Champions League
Glasgow City reached the knock out round of the last 32 of the Champions League after a 2-0 win over Dutch Champions FC Twente to top group 8 and bring Champions League football home to Petershill Park.
City only needed a draw going into the game and almost got off to the perfect start as Ruesha Littlejohn fired a cross into the box for strike partner Denise O’Sullivan in the opening minute. The Republic of Ireland international struck her shot first time towards the bottom corner, only to be denied by an outstanding save from Sari Van Veenendaal in the Twente nets, who somehow turned the effort around the post.
Twente had their first opportunity on 14 minutes when Dutch international Sherida Spitse hit a shot over the bar from distance. The midfielder was to receive a yellow card for a late challenge on Jo Love on 39 minutes and that challenge was to prove costly as Leanne Ross sent the resultant free kick into the box for Captain Rachel Corsie to head into the back of the net to give her side a precious lead.
Minutes later and Van Veenendaal produced her 2nd outstanding save of the match as she denied a goal bound Corsie header after another City set piece delivery from Ross to keep her side in the game at the interval.
Twente, who needed to win to progress, pushed hard for an equaliser in the second half but rarely threatened Lee Alexander in the City nets, with their nearest attempt being thwarted by an excellent tackle by Corsie in the 6 yard box.
Sue Lappin almost doubled City’s advantage in the last five minutes, but headed another excellent Ross set piece delivery just wide of the post.
As Twente pushed to try and get an equaliser in added time, O’Sullivan broke free on the counter attack and raced into the box with only Van Veenendaal to beat. The Twente number one pulled off another fine save, but could only parry the shot wide, which substitute Sarah Crilly took full advantage of to fire into the back of the empty net to give City a magnificent result in Enschede.
Commenting on the game and his side’s achievement, Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black said, “A big congratulations to all the players and staff. We knew this was going to be a very tough campaign and I think we showed a real Scottish determination to get the right result. I cannot recall them being a threat on Lee Alexander’s goal and I thought tactically the team performed magnificently. It is a proud day not just for Glasgow City but for Scotland.”
The draw for the last 32 will be at UEFA Headquarters on the 5th September.
Pictures by Mirko Kappes. Top to Bottom: City celebrate Rachel Corsie's opening goal. Corsie challenges Van Veenendaal in Twente box, City celebrate Sarah Crilly's goal.
13.08.13
