The soccer players of the SKN St. Pölten have not rewarded themselves for a strong performance in the women’s champions league. Austria’s series champions did not get more than 1-1 (1-1) at home against Slavia Prague on Thursday. Being able to realize the dream of reaching the quarter-finals has become much more difficult. To keep the chance alive, the St. Pölten side need a win at AS Roma on Friday in a week’s time.
There are still two rounds to play in Group B. The Roma with ÖFB defense chief Carina Wenninger is St. Pölten by three, league leaders VfL Wolfsburg by six points. The SKN women missed a better starting position by not using their chances for the second CL victory in their history. They scored for the first time two weeks ago in the away game against the Czech champions with a 1-0 victory secured in injury time.
Captain Jasmin Eder was suspended from the home game. In her place, right-back Julia Tabotta led the team onto the field with the ribbon. St. Pölten was clearly the leading team before the break. An early goal by Lainie Fuchs after a little over a minute didn’t count because of handball. Slavia took the lead completely contrary to the course of the game. After a counter-attack and a pass from Tereza Kozarova, Kristyna Ruzickova was able to finish free-standing (27′). It was the Czechs’ first and only real chance to score in the game.
Mateja Zver equalized, whose long free kick landed in the net (40th). Valentina Mädl jumped past the ball. The 16-year-old SKN hope should have sufficiently irritated Slavia goalkeeper Olivia Lukasova. The second half was a little more balanced. St. Pölten was no longer so pressing, but still closer to another goal. Maria Mikolajova, who decided the first leg in the 91st minute, fired a free kick at the right post (81st).
The Czechs, who were coached by former Salzburg legionnaire Karel Pitak, were eliminated but were able to celebrate their first CL point. He didn’t really help the SKN women. Liese Brancao’s side take on Roma in a week away on Friday (December 16) and host Wolfsburg for a final two days before Christmas. The Germans beat the Romans 4-2 in the Schlager. Wenniger played through in the center of defense at Roma.