Sports
MANCHESTER City continued their 100% start in the Women’s Champions League with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Hammarby.
After a frustrating first half in which the hard-working visitors limited City’s chances, Gareth Taylor’s side finally broke the deadlock when Laura Blindkilde Brown swept home less than two minutes after the restart.
Hammarby threatened late on with Ayaka Yamashita called to action, a superb fingertip save keeping out a fierce strike from substitute Thea Sorbo.
The Swedish side, cheered on by a raucous travelling fanbase, had their hopes crushed when Aoba Fujino’s diving header nestled into the back of the net with 10 minutes remaining.
The win leaves Manchester City top of Group D with nine points from their opening three group stage fixtures.
City manager Taylor says both goalscorers will benefit from their roles in earning them the three points.
“Aoba was really crying out for a goal,” he said. “She had some really good opportunities and that will give her a lot of confidence.”
He added that Blindkilde Brown has had “to bide her time” with some big names ahead of her and “she recognises that but when she has had opportunities she has done well – it will be really good for her”.
The Women’s Super League leaders are three points above second-placed Barcelona at the halfway point of the group stages.
There were concerns for City when top scorer Khadija Shaw went down after trying to squeeze an angled effort past Anna Tamminen, with the goalkeeper catching Shaw’s ankle as she smothered the chance.
But the Jamaica striker returned after half-time as the hosts enjoyed a lightning-fast start to the second half with Fujino rattling the post just moments before Blindkilde Brown slotted in her first Champions League goal.
As Hammarby searched for an equaliser, space opened up behind for the hosts to counter and they were rewarded for their patience with Fujino’s second to seal their 10th consecutive win.
City stay patient to grind out win
City started brightly on a cold evening at Joie Stadium, but they struggled to find a way into the opposition’s box as the visitors worked tirelessly off the ball.
“They outnumber us in terms of size but the girls handled it really well,” said Taylor.
“We were just a bit off in our final action, decent crosses, a little bit reactive and a little bit late. We just needed to speed up on being in the end of that.”
Shaw should have netted an early opener, though, when she found herself unmarked and on the end of Mary Fowler’s cross, only for her header to trickle across the face of goal.
Fujino slammed a half-volley over the crossbar, while Fowler’s low strike was parried away by Tamminen.
Leila Ouahabi and Fowler peppered Hammarby’s box with plenty of crosses, but more often than not there was no-one there to direct the ball in.
Hammarby had conceded nine in their previous Champions League outing against Barcelona, but their defence was organised and ensured City were made to wait for an opener.
However, Taylor’s team remained patient and their fortune in front of goal changed dramatically shortly after the break.
They could have had more through Fujino in the second half, but the Japan international had an effort that brushed the top of the crossbar, while she skied another into the stands.
It’s a positive start to a tough week for City, who travel to champions Chelsea in the Women’s Super League on Saturday.
Lauren Hemp missed this match and Taylor says she needs to be assessed, but is hopeful she will be available to face the Blues. Top scorer Shaw was “OK” after her knock, he added.
Sonia Bompastor’s unbeaten Chelsea side are just a point behind City with a game in hand.
–BBCSport
A.I
Nov. 13, 2024
Tags: Ayaka Yamashita Manchester City
