While Manchester City’s second leg episode was a repeat of the first, Glasgow City’s story was radically different but ended in an agonising defeat on away goals.
Thursday 12th October
UEFA WOMENS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
ROUND OF 32 2ND LEG
Glasgow City 4-1 BIIK Kazygurt (Agg: 4-4, BIIK won on away goals)
Manchester City 3-0 St Polten (Agg; 6-0)
With Glasgow City trailing 3-0 from last week’s tie in Kazakhstan, some may have thought the tie was over when Kazygurt went one up on the night at Petershill Park.
An although that away goal – scored by Chinwendo Ihezuo on 18 minutes – eventually proved decisive, Glasgow City made a tremendous effort to overturn what was now a four-goal deficit.
Abbi Grant’s shot through the keeper’s legs and into the net gave the hosts a glimmer of hope to take into the interval and she scored again with a looping effort 6 minutes after the restart.
It was really game on when Noelle Murray thumped in a rebound just before the hour mark and with Grant completing her hat-trick 4 minutes later, the aggregate victory that had seemed against the odds was now more like evens.
With minutes to go, City were given their chance from the penalty spot but Leanne Ross struck the post and Kazygurt’s away goal saw them through after a 4-4 tie overall.
Manchester City began their home leg with the benefit of a 3-0 lead over Austria’s St Polten, an advantage they were to double at the City Academy.
Jane Ross won a penalty after only 8 minutes but goalkeeper Jasmin Boisits, who committed the foul, redeemed herself with a save.
Although City were dominant, it was 35 minutes before Nikita Parris put them ahead when turning in a cross from Abbie McManus.
Jill Scott made it 2-0 shortly before the break with a fine finish and substitute Melissa Lawley then rounded off the scoring in the last 5 minutes.
The draw for the last sixteen will be made at 12.30pm (UK time) on 16th October and teams from the same country cannot be drawn against each other. The two-leg ties are to be played 8/9 November and 15/16 November.
Photos: Colin Shorrock
