Northern Ireland's Road to Canada (Game 3)

 

Northern Ireland played host to Poland on Saturday in the World Cup Qualifiers with both teams looking for all 3 points in this Group 4 match.  On a cold afternoon at Mourneview Park, both teams were only getting into the game when Patrycja Pozerska fired the ball past Emma Higgins into the back of the net, much to the delight of the vociferous Polish fans in the far side of the stand.

 

Northern Ireland had a few shots on goal but with some great blocks by the Polish goalkeeper the game remained one nil until the referee pointed to the penalty spot on the 29^th minute after Winczo was fouled by Aimee Mackin.  Pozerska stepped up and scored her second of the game. 

 

Magill and Furness both had attempts before half time but the home side just couldn’t find the back of the net.

 

The second half started a bit better for Northern Ireland as they worked hard and created chances.  The home fans were getting more and more frustrated with decisions given against them and that was to continue when the referee awarded another soft penalty to Poland on the 60^th minute. 

 

Nicole Krzysik stepped up this time but her strike hit the woodwork and Northern Ireland were saved from going 3 down.  The Polish fans continued to sing and jump up and down cheering on their team but there wasn’t much for the home fans to cheer about.

 

With a few decent shots on goal for Nothern Ireland later on in the second half Magdalena Szaj made sure she secured all 3 points by making it 3 nil to Poland in the closing minutes of the game.  Northern Ireland worked hard but with just one point in 3 games they will be looking to improve in the qualifying games in 2014.

 

 

Champions League Last 16, Second Leg

The last eight teams have now been decided in the UEFA Women’s Champions League having progressed to Thursday’s draw to see who they will be playing in the quarter finals. 

After a 3-0 win against Glasgow City in the first leg, Arsenal travelled to Petershill on Wednesday with a good advantage.  However Glasgow weren’t going to give up on their European aspirations, with a spirited second leg performance.  Within 2 minutes Suzanne Lappin had put the home side in the lead before Rachel Yankey made it one-all 10 minutes later.

The visitors then had to wait until the 69^th minute before another goal was scored, this time from Jordan Nobbs however Glasgow City Captain Rachel Corsie brought them right back into it at 2- 2 with 10 minutes to go. 

The game stayed level until Alex Scott finished off the scoring in injury time making it 3-2 on the night, a convincing but hard-fought aggregate score of 6-2 to Arsenal.

Birmingham City played Russian Champions Zorky at St Andrews on the same night.  They went into this game with the upper hand after winning 2-0 in Russia. Isobel Christiansen and Kirsty Linnet put the home side 2 up early on in the first half before Maria Ruiz and Ashley Nick equalised for Zorky before half time.

Linnet scored again in the second half along with team mates Kerys Harrop and Melissa Lawley to make the final score 5-2 (aggregate 7-2).

The following teams are in the draw for the Quarter Finals which will be decided on Thursday, all hoping to make it to the final in the Estadio do Restelo, Lisbon in May:

FFC Turbine Potsdam (GER)

Arsenal LFC (ENG)

ASD Torres CF (ITA)

Birmingham City LFC (ENG)

FC Barcelona (ESP)

SV Neulengbach (AUT)

Tyreso FF (SWE)

VFL Wolfsburg (GER)

Profiles of each of these clubs can be found here: Uefa.com

*images from Glasgow City & Birmingham City websites

Champions League Update - Last 16

Arsenal welcomed Glasgow City to The Hive yesterday afternoon in the first leg of the so-called “Battle of Britain.” The WSL team dominated the match and came away with a 3-0 win. 

It took Arsenal just 14 minutes to find the back of the net with a goal from Captain Stephanie Houghton.  Danielle Carter made it 2-0 just before the half time break.

Ellen White then finished off the scoring with her goal in the second half.  Arsenal travel to Petershill in Glasgow for the second leg on Wednesday evening, kick off is 7pm.

Birmingham City had a tough away trip to Russian side FC Zorky for their tie.  The Blues opened the scoring in the 27^th minute thanks to Isobel Christiansen. 

Josanne Potter made it 2-0 in the second half to give Birmingham an upper hand when going into the second leg on Wednesday at St Andrews, kick off is also 7pm.

*images from UEFA.com

Road To Canada 2015

 

Northern Ireland Ladies welcomed Bosnia & Herzegovina to Mourneview Park on Wednesday night for their second game in the World Cup Qualifiers.  The game ended in a scoreless draw.

Aimee Mackin and Sarah McFadden both came close to scoring in the first half but both were denied by some fine goalkeeping by Almina Hodzic.  There were a few more chances in the second half with the best one coming in stoppage time when Glasgow City defender Julie Nelson hit the top of the crossbar from a free kick.

Northern Ireland were unlucky not to come away with 3 points but will now be looking forward to their next game in the qualifiers against Poland on 23rd November

 

Scotland continued their winning form yesterday away to Poland to keep them top of Group 4.

Jane Ross helped Scotland go into half time with a 2 nil lead and finished off her first international hat trick with a goal at the beginning of the second half.  Jo Love secured the fourth goal in the 65^th minute giving the blues their fourth win of the campaign.

Scotland aren’t involved in the qualifiers again until next April when they welcome Poland to Fir Park.

England also continued their winning run in the campaign with a 4-0 victory in Turkey.  It took only 10 minutes for Eniola Aluko to find the back of the net followed shortly after by a penalty by Fara Williams. 

England dominated the game and in the second half Toni Duggan and Jordan Nobbs finished off the scoring and keeping England top of Group 6.

England's next World Cup qualifier is against Montenegro next April.

*images from Irish Fa, STV & The Independent