Manchester Metropolis Girls 2 Hammarby 0
Beneath the lights on the Joie Stadium, competing in opposition to an extremely vocal away finish, Manchester Metropolis ensured their spectacular begin to the marketing campaign continued by grinding out a win in opposition to Hammarby.
It wasn’t a smooth-sailing victory by any means. However they dug deep to realize three extra factors within the Europe and proceed their momentum forward of an important weekend conflict in opposition to defending Girls’s Tremendous League champions, Chelsea.
The hosts dominated the ball for almost all of the primary half, however they spent the early phases of the sport being far too passive and created little or no.
The very best probability of the opening 45 minutes truly fell to Hammarby who had been largely non-existent as an attacking pressure. A cross into the field wasn’t correctly cleared by the house facet and former Metropolis midfielder Julie Blakstad ran onto the unfastened ball. She couldn’t pull off a shot beneath stress however the ball fell to Asato Miyagawa whose effort from shut vary went over the bar.
Coupled with the relentless help from the vocal away finish, that effort could have given the guests some renewed confidence going into the break.
Nonetheless, any momentum for Hammarby was in the end short-lived as Metropolis broke the stalemate simply two minutes into the second half.
It was a primary Champions League objective for 21-year-old Laura Blindkilde Brown who met Mary Fowler’s cross within the field and stroked the ball into the far nook.
From that time on, the hosts had been in management. The decisive second got here after a brief interval of stress from the guests. Aoba Fujino, who till that time had achieved every little thing however rating for her group, topped off a powerful efficiency along with her second objective for the membership.
She met Alanna Kennedy’s cross from the left, ducking low to energy a header into the Hammarby objective. It was the 20-year-old’s remaining contact of the sport as she was substituted shortly after, alongside along with her fellow goalscorer.
Metropolis sit prime of their group within the Champions League and are in first place within the WSL desk. They’re but to lose a sport this season.
Tonight’s victory confirmed that they will grind out vital wins and have the expertise of their squad to create probabilities and rating targets when a few of their greater gamers aren’t firing them in.
Gareth Taylor shall be eager to proceed tempering expectations however, if tonight is something to go by, it seems as if his group may go all the way in which within the competitors this season.
Match particulars
Manchester Metropolis Girls (4-3-3): Yamashita 8, Greenwood 7 (Prior, 90+1), Fowler 8, Kennedy 7, Ouahabi 6, Park 6 (Coombs, 90+1), Casparij 6, Blinkilde Brown 8 (Roord, 80), Fujino 9 (Kelly, 80), Shaw 8 (Murphy, 87), Hasegawa 7.Targets: Blinkilde Brown (47), Fujino (80).Bookings: Lennartsson (44), Kennedy (90).Substitutes not used: Keating, Startup, Thomas, O’Carroll. Hammarby (4-3-2-1): Tamminen 4, Lennartsson 5, Carlsson 4, Nystrom 5, Andersson 5 (Sorbo, 56), Joramo 6, Miyagawa 6 (Holmberg, 56), Wangerheim 4, Hasund 5 (Josendal, 67), Blakstad 6 (Westin, 67), Tandberg 5 (Vallotto, 85).Bookings: Lennartsson (44).Substitutes not used: Edrud, Andersson, Gibson, Amano. Referee: Frida Klarlund.
09:56 PM GMTFULL TIME: Man Metropolis 2 Hammarby 0
Throughout on the Joie Stadium and it’s one other victory for Metropolis. They’re three wins from three in Europe.
They made onerous work of it at time however an improved second half efficiency acquired the job achieved.
09:52 PM GMT90+2mins: Man Metropolis 2 Hammarby 0
Man Metropolis subs
OFF Park, GreenwoodON Coombs, Prior
09:50 PM GMT90mins: Man Metropolis 2 Hammarby 0
4 minutes added on.
09:48 PM GMT88mins: Man Metropolis 2 Hammarby 0
Likelihood for a comfort is squandered by Hammarby when the ball breaks to Vallotto within the field and he or she sidefoots broad.
Needed to make the keeper make a save on the very least.
Man Metropolis subs
OFF ShawON Murphy
09:45 PM GMT85mins: Man Metropolis 2 Hammarby 0
Hammarby subs
OFF TandbergON Vallotto
09:43 PM GMT82mins: Man Metropolis 2 Hammarby 0
That can do it!
Lastly, it’s a objective for Fujino – who, till this level, had achieved mainly every little thing however rating.
It’s her second objective for the membership and he or she scores it in nice type, with a diving header to ship the ball residence.
09:42 PM GMT80mins: Man Metropolis 2 Hammarby 0 GOAL
Fujino lastly will get her objective. She’s been threatening all of it sport however from Kennedy’s left wing cross, Fujino geese low to satisfy it and energy a header previous Tamminen. That was her remaining contact of the match and it was a decisive one.
Man Metropolis subs:
OFF Fujino, BlindkildeON Kelly, Roord
09:37 PM GMT77mins: Man Metropolis 1 Hammarby 0
The away followers may nonetheless assume they will get one thing from this – Hammarby have labored themselves again into this sport up to now couple of minutes after a interval dominated by the hosts.
Tandberg meets a cross from Joramo and heads it in the direction of the Metropolis objective however it’s saved comfortably by Yamashita.
Nonetheless Hammarby then have three corners in fast succession – their finest probability comes from the second as Yamashita ideas Sorbo’s try simply over the bar.
A way of nervousness is beginning to develop among the many residence followers – their group must get one other objective pretty rapidly to really feel really snug of their lead.
09:36 PM GMT75mins: Man Metropolis 1 Hammarby 0
What a miss by Fujino. One other reduce, this time by Blindkilde evades everybody and falls to Fujino on the again submit and he or she fires over the bar.
09:34 PM GMT73mins: Man Metropolis 1 Hammarby 0
Hammarby have been energised by their current subs and earned themselves one other nook after good work down the precise.
And so they virtually get their reward when Sorbo drills a shot from distance which is tipped over by Yamashita. High quality save.
09:31 PM GMT70mins: Man Metropolis 1 Hammarby 0
Lastly a shot heading in the right direction for Hammarby. A cross is swung into the field and Tandberg will get above her marker and directs a header in the direction of objective which is saved by Yamashita.
09:28 PM GMT67mins: Man Metropolis 1 Hammarby 0
Hammarby subs
OFF Blakstad, HasundON Westin, Josendal
09:22 PM GMT60mins: Man Metropolis 1 Hammarby 0
Credit score to the Hammarby followers. They haven’t stopped singing and banging their drums regardless of the poor high quality on the pitch from their gamers.
09:16 PM GMT55mins: Man Metropolis 1 Hammarby 0
Hammarby subs
OFF Miyagawa, AnderssonON Sorbo, Holmberg
09:15 PM GMT52mins: Man Metropolis 1 Hammarby 0
Now that they’re trailing, we have to see extra from Hammarby in an attacking sense however to date it’s simply not there. At any time when they get an opportunity to alleviate the stress they offer the ball away and again come Metropolis.
09:09 PM GMT47mins: Man Metropolis 1 Hammarby 0 GOAL
Simply the beginning Metropolis would have wished. They’ve come out with extra depth, slicker passing and acquired their reward. A ball throughout the Hammarby field evades everybody and falls to Fowler, who pulls the ball again for Blindkilde to complete first time without work the submit.
It’s the 21-year-old’s first Champions League objective and chants of “Blinkie, blinkie, blinkie!” ring around the Joie Stadium.
09:08 PM GMTSECOND HALF: Man Metropolis 0 Hammarby 0
Essential 45mins arising for Metropolis. They should up the tempo and transfer by the gears if they need all three factors.
08:54 PM GMTElla Nunn’s half time verdict
The guests will go into the break with some confidence. Metropolis dominated the ball and created just a few probabilities, however the perfect one of many half truly fell to Hammarby within the thirty ninth minute when Miyagawa blazed her effort over from shut vary.
Simply the one shot heading in the right direction from the hosts within the opening 45 minutes – they should be way more ruthless within the second half in the event that they’re going to get one thing from this sport.
08:49 PM GMTHALF TIME: Man Metropolis 0 Hammarby 0
First nook of the match for Hammarby within the remaining minute however Metropolis get the ball clear.
And on the break, the away facet shall be a lot happier as they go in goalless. Worryingly for Metropolis, Shaw limps off in seen discomfort.
08:48 PM GMT44mins: Man Metropolis 0 Hammarby 0
Lennartsson is proven the primary yellow card of the match for pulling Kennedy’s shirt.
From the ensuing free-kick, Hammarby clear the hazard and we enter two minutes of added time.
08:45 PM GMT43mins: Man Metropolis 0 Hammarby 0
Shaw goes down once more and appears in some ache subsequent to the objective submit after assembly Fowler’s cross from the precise.
She was caught by Tamminen as they each went for the ball and ended up on the ground receiving remedy.
A stretcher is introduced out, however to the reduction of the house followers, it seems to be a precautionary measure because the striker will get up and appears properly sufficient to proceed.
Shaw has been completely important to Metropolis’s unbeaten begin to the 24/25 marketing campaign, scoring 10 instances already in all competitions.
With Vivianne Miedema additionally out, it wouldn’t be notably shocking if she doesn’t play the complete 90 tonight – Gareth Taylor absolutely has his group’s upcoming weekend tie in opposition to WSL champions Chelsea behind his thoughts.
08:42 PM GMT39mins: Man Metropolis 0 Hammarby 0
What an opportunity for Hammarby. They lastly spend a while in Metropolis’s half as they break ahead. The ball is performed into the field and Blakstad can’t get her shot away. The unfastened ball falls to Miyagawa however she blazes over from shut vary. Needed to get that heading in the right direction.
08:38 PM GMT36mins: Man Metropolis 0 Hammarby 0
Curiously, Fowler and Fujino have swapped wings. Maybe now they are going to get extra pleasure. And luckily for Metropolis, Shaw is again on the pitch after that knock to her ankle.
08:35 PM GMT32mins: Man Metropolis 0 Hammarby 0
Shaw is down once more and holding her ankle after a teasing ball by Fowler into the field. Tamminen flies out of her objective and makes contact with the Metropolis participant however no foul is given.
08:31 PM GMT28mins: Man Metropolis 0 Hammarby 0
Lastly Tamminen within the Hammarby known as into motion. One other cross is swung into the Hammarby field. Shaw can’t get her head onto it however the ball falls to Fowler, who shifts the ball to her left and shoots however Tamminen makes a snug save.
08:26 PM GMT23mins: Man Metropolis 0 Hammarby 0
Neither goalkeeper has needed to make a critical save to date. It’s all been very passive from Metropolis whereas Hammarby appear very glad to allow them to have the ball.
However simply as I say that, the ball is swung and Fujino meets it on the far submit however blazes over. Got here to her rapidly however in all probability ought to have achieved higher.
08:24 PM GMT21mins: Man Metropolis 0 Hammarby 0
There’s some concern as Bunny Shaw is caught between two Hammarby defenders and goes down within the centre of the pitch. To to the reduction of residence followers she’s again up after just a few seconds and appears okay to play on.
Metropolis have definitely dominated in these opening phases however that’s to not say Hammarby haven’t appeared harmful after they’ve gained possession. They’re very fast however are spending the vast majority of the time chasing the ball – Metropolis are urgent them onerous.
As anticipated, the away followers are in full voice, have been chanting since minute one, and are vocally interesting each determination and unfastened ball. The ambiance is nice.
20 minutes gone and no breakthrough but.
08:18 PM GMT15mins: Man Metropolis 0 Hammarby 0
Shaw is down within the centre circle after a coming collectively however she seems OK to proceed.
08:15 PM GMT12mins: Man Metropolis 0 Hammarby 0
A lot of the noise on the Joie Stadium is coming from the away followers.
Andersson is throughout Fowler and drags her again to commit the foul. Needs to be a simple yellow for the Hammarby defence however she avoids punishment.
08:10 PM GMT7mins: Man Metropolis 0 Hammarby 0
But to see Hammarby in an attacking state of affairs with Metropolis dominating possession. At any time when Metropolis do lose the ball, they press in a short time to get it again.
08:05 PM GMT3mins: Man Metropolis 0 Hammarby 0
As anticipated Metropolis are dominating the ball early on right here. They’re probing for the area to create an opportunity.
08:02 PM GMTKick Off: Man Metropolis vs Hammarby
The guests get this match underway. Can they trigger a significant upset and ship their followers residence glad?!
07:57 PM GMTHammarby followers are already offering an ideal ambiance
07:34 PM GMTTaylor makes three adjustments to Metropolis’s beginning line-up
Gareth Taylor has made three adjustments to the group that beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 within the Girls’s Tremendous League on Friday.
Khadija “Bunny” Shaw, who scored a hat-trick in opposition to the north London group, retains her spot upfront whereas Jill Roord, the opposite goalscorer in that match, drops to the bench.
Lauren Hemp bagged three assists in opposition to Tottenham however is unavailable for tonight’s fixture and so Mary Fowler and Laura Blinkilde Brown each come into the beginning line-up.
Goalkeeper Khiara Keating has dropped to the bench with Ayaka Yamashita, who did properly in Metropolis’s Champions League win in opposition to Barcelona, beginning in opposition to the Swedish facet.
There’s a acquainted face within the customer’s lineup tonight, with Julie Blakstad, the previous Metropolis participant, beginning in midfield. She left Metropolis in January 2024 after two years with the membership, throughout which she scored 10 targets.
Manchester Metropolis Girls
Yamashita, Casparij, Kennedy, Greenwood, Ouahabi, Park, Hasegawa, Blindkilde, Fujino, Shaw, Fowler.Substitutes: Keating, Startup, Coombs, Kelly, Roord, Prior, Thomas, Murphy, O’Carroll.
Hammarby Girls
Tamminen, Lennartsson, Carlsson, Nystrom, Jonna Andersson, Joramo, Miyagawa, Wangerheim, Hasund, Blakstad, Tandberg.Substitutes: Edrud, Sorbo, Gibson, Josendal, Vallotto, Bella Andersson, Amano, Westin, Holmberg.
07:30 PM GMTHammarby able to convey the noise
We expect an electrical ambiance on the Joie Stadium this night, as Manchester Metropolis host Hammarby within the Girls’s Champions League.
Hammarby supporters are often called Bajen and they’re famend for his or her vibrant tifos and well-choreographed chants.
A Fb submit from a Bajen seems to point out that Metropolis have allowed them to convey their drum to the stadium this night – allegedly Benefica didn’t enable them to take action within the qualifiers. The submit by Harold Cardenas additionally says that Metropolis bumped up the away group’s ticket allocation from 400 to 700, after the necessary 5 per cent share instantly bought out.
Movies posted on X present the followers making their voices heard across the metropolis within the build-up to the sport this afternoon – it will be a loud one.
07:25 PM GMTCity welcome Swedes to Manchester
Hi there and welcome to protection from the Girls’s Champions League as Manchester Metropolis host Hammarby on the Joie Stadium.
The Girls’s Tremendous League facet are again within the Champions League correct this time period after a three-year absence and sit prime of their group, three factors forward of their opponents after beating Barcelona 2-0 within the opening spherical.
Metropolis supervisor Gareth Taylor says his group, who’ve received their final six league matches of their unbeaten begin to the season, are totally ready to assault Hammarby’s weaknesses.
Taylor mentioned: “A partisan crowd that can make quite a lot of noise, we’re anticipating a tricky problem tomorrow, there’s little question. We’re totally conscious of the strengths and areas we are able to exploit within the opposition.
“We attempt to make it about us and the place we really feel the vital components of the sport are going to be.
“They’re a group which are succesful on sure video games, they had been the one group to beat Rosengard of their title successful season, and considered one of our former gamers Julie [Blakstad] is there as properly, so we control these video games to see how she’s doing.
“It’s an enormous sport for us and an vital one. We’re happy to be again residence and searching ahead to the problem.”
Metropolis shall be with out Vivianne Miedema once more after she had one other operation on her troublesome left knee final month.
Hammarby have a repute for vibrant travelling help and Taylor mentioned: “I believe it’s a great factor.
”We had a great expertise within the Etihad Stadium on Friday evening in opposition to Tottenham (within the Girls’s Tremendous League after they received 4-0), the place we had been in a position to go to a wider viewers.
”We love taking part in on the Joie Stadium and, if that away help is nice and noisy then that’s nice, it makes for a greater ambiance.”