City face tough test in Champions League
Glasgow City manager, Peter Caulfield, had mixed feelings after the 2010/11 UEFA Women’s Champions League draw has them face German opposition for the third year in a row.
With seven groups of four teams being drawn recently at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, City’s previous good results in Europe had them installed as one of the 2nd seed clubs in the qualifying group draw, which will see them play matches from 5th to 10th August,
Any thoughts of the seeding providing an advantage in the draw were soon quashed, when the club was drawn with FCR 2001 Duisburg (Germany), SK Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia) and Crusaders Newtonabbey Strikers (Northern Ireland).
The manager was stunned that the club had drawn German opposition from the hat yet again but remained defiant when he commented, “We know there are no easy draws in European competition but some draws are certainly more difficult than others and to be honest, we couldn’t have had it any tougher, however, what a challenge for the club and the players to compete in some outstanding games and to face world class players in the process.
“We know Duisburg to be an outstanding side and having faced German teams in the last 2 seasons we expect this to be a real test for the players. They are a fully professional team packed with international players not only from Germany but Holland, Belgium and Japan. This is a team who boast World Cup winners in their ranks, in the like of Annike Krahn and Simone Laudehr and the outstanding striker, Inka Grings, who scored a double when helping Germany to victory in the Euro 2009 final against England.
“Slovan Bratislava, are competing in the tournament for the first time for five seasons but we know Slovakian teams to be very well organised and difficult to beat. Historically, they don’t score many goals in the competition but don’t concede many either, so this too will be a test.
“The Irish team, Crusaders Newtonabbey Strikers, are again a good solid side and will prove difficult opposition in a British style game. There is always a good rivalry at International level between the home nations and I expect nothing less at club level.
“With the seven group winners and the best 2 runners-up qualifying for the final 32 draw, we face a huge challenge to come out of this group but it’s one we will face head-on. We have been improving all the time as a football team and are now ready to show we can compete with the very best.”
Crusaders Newtonabbey Strikers will host the group, in Northern Ireland, and details of games and kick off times will be posted on the website as they are advised.
29.06.10
