2023-10-10 20:01:35
SKN St. Pölten almost has their ticket to the group stage of the Women’s Football Champions League. The Lower Austrians surprisingly won the first leg of the 2nd Meisterweg qualifying round against Icelandic series champions Valur Reykjavik 4-0 on Tuesday evening and therefore have all the trump cards in their own hands on October 18th (7 p.m./live ORF Sport +) in the NV Arena . It would be the second participation in the “premier class” overall and in a row.
Sarah Mattner-Trembleau (13th) fixed in front of a sparse backdrop and with temperatures just above freezing point for a tailor-made start for the guests. After the break, Rita Schumacher (53′) and double goalscorer Valentina Mädl (59′, 63′) made things clear on the unfamiliar artificial turf. Mädl had also recently scored in the 3-0 win in the first round final against PAOK Saloniki. Coach Liese Brancao’s team celebrated their eighth win in the eighth competitive game of the season.
Brancao had shown great respect for the Icelandic women and particularly emphasized their strength in playing against the ball in the run-up to the game. However, there was little to be seen of defensive stability from the hosts. After just seven minutes, Fanney Birkisdottir had to fend off a Mikolajova shot from 20 meters over the crossbar. Six minutes later she was beaten for the first time. Ideally served by Schumacher, Mattner-Trembleau gained the necessary space in the penalty area and hit the far corner. As a result, the leadership was not really in danger.
After the break, St. Pölten really shocked Valur with three goals within ten minutes. Schumacher was able to shoot from just inside the penalty area after a Touon pass and gave the Icelandic goalkeeper no chance with a shot almost into the top corner. Birkisdottir was able to take a shot from Mädl, but was unable to make a decisive save. The 17-year-old didn’t have enough and increased the score to 0-4 with a header from four meters after Schumacher’s ideal cross.
The Icelanders only came close to a cosmetic result once, when Amanda Andradottir’s free kick was saved by the crossbar (85′). Eintracht Frankfurt can also plan for the group phase. The German Bundesliga team even defeated Sparta Prague 5-0 at home in the league. Verena Hanshaw and Barbara Dunst played through for the winners, Virginia Kirchberger came on the pitch in the 84th minute.
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