The qualifiers for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup got underway in Torshavn on Thursday 14th September, when Faroe Islands were thrashed 8-0 by Czech Republic (photo: fotbal.cz).
The visitors scored six of their goals by the break, with Kožárová going on to complete her hat-trick. Tereza Svitková bagged a brace, Eva Bartoňová, Petra Divišová and Lucie Voňková getting one apiece in the Group 5 opener.
Four for Poles And Swiss
Friday brought two games in Scotland’s group, Switzerland and Poland both kicking off with 4-1 victories.
Jana Brunner put the Swiss ahead at the Elbasan Arena and Chelsea’s Ramona Bachmann doubled the lead, with Ana-Maria Crnogorčević converting a penalty on 41 minutes. Lara Dickenmann made it 4-0 before Lavdie Begolli netted a consolation for the hosts.
The Poles also had a commanding interval lead at GKS Leczna, where Agata Tarczyńska, Ewelina Kamczyk and Ewa Pajor scored before Anastasia Shcherbachenia pulled one back for Belarus. Pajor got her second and Poland’s fourth just before the hour mark.
Norway also net four
Norway were 4-1 winners over Northern Ireland in Group 3, which also contains Netherlands, Republic of Ireland and Slovakia.
Guro Reiten was twice on target, Caroline Graham Hansen put away a spot-kick and Lisa-Marie Utland got the home’s side’s other goal from their 32 shots in Fredrikstad, Caragh Milligan replying late on for the Irish.
Rudelic rescues point
There was late drama in the Group 4 tie at the Lviv Arena, where ten-player Croatia held Ukraine 1-1.
Monika Conjar received a second caution on 42 minutes, Daryna Apanaschenko made the numerical advantage pay with 15 minutes to go, only for Ivana Rudelic to equalise in added time.
High fives for Italy
Italy started Group 6 by putting five goals past Moldova, with four of those coming in the first half.
There were two goals for Cristiana Girelli, one each from Daniela Sabatino, Barbara Bonansea and Valentina Bergamaschi, as the Italians amassed 34 efforts in the Stadium Alberto Picco.
Germany hit six
The second match in Group 5 came on Saturday, with Germany hit Slovenia for six at Ingolstadt.
Two up in 18 minutes through Svenja Huth and a Dzsenifer Marozsá n penalty, Kathrin-Julia Hendrich and Tabea Kemme extended the lead to 4-0 by the midway point.
Kemme and Kristin Demann then added further goals in the last 10 minutes.
