Arsenal resist Göteborg to advance
quarta-feira, 21 de março de 2012
Sumário do artigo
Göteborg FC 1-0 Arsenal LFC (agg: 2-3)
Jane Törnqvist's last-minute strike set up a grandstand finish but Arsenal held on to earn a 1. FFC Frankfurt semi.
Conteúdo media do artigo
Corpo do artigo
Arsenal LFC are through to their second straight UEFA Women's Champions League semi-final after making the most of their first-leg lead to see off Göteborg FC.
Having won 3-1 last week at Borehamwood, Arsenal were grateful for that cushion when Jane Törnqvist scored in the 90th minute to set up a nervous finish to this second leg. The 2007 champions held on to reach their fifth European semi-final and will take on 1. FFC Frankfurt on 14/15 and 21/22 April with the first leg at home.
Göteborg took an early lead in the first leg and were keen on a swift goal again tonight, just as in London, new signing Christen Press creating danger. And they nearly had one back on 26 minutes, Sara Lindén hitting the crossbar and Press pouncing on the rebound only for Arsenal goalkeeper Emma Byrne to somehow turn her shot back up to the woodwork and away. Stina Segerström then sent Press clear but she struck over.
In the second half, Arsenal looked more comfortable with their advantage and late on Rachel Yankey hit the woodwork with a free-kick But Göteborg did reduce their aggregate arrears when Törnqvist pounced on a loose ball from the edge of the box after Byrne blocked an Olivia Schough effort but Arsenal held on through added time. Göteborg will, however, be back next season in the round of 32 after finishing as 2011 Swedish runners-up.