Deja vu in European qualifier as City pay penalty for Leanne’s miss
GLASGOW CITY ANDERLECHT 1 2
LIGHTNING struck twice for Glasgow City as they again rued missing a penalty in their opening Women’s Champions League qualifying group game against Anderlecht at the Oriam.
The defeat means City need Polish champions Gornik Leczna to beat the Belgians on Friday if they are to have any chance of reaching the last 32.
With the score at 1-0 to Anderlecht in the first half, City were awarded a penalty but skipper Leanne Ross hit the post. Exactly the same had happened in City’s previous European game – a last 32, second leg, tie against Kazakhstan side Kazygurt.
“If you look back to Kazygurt, if we score from the penalty we’re through to the next round,” said head coach Scott Booth. “If we score from the one today I believe we win the game.
“But it’s the other things that frustrate me more – we’ve looked at Anderlecht and picked out certain areas we think can get at. But when we have the opportunity to go and do it we didn’t take it.”
City went behind midway through the first half when Anderlecht striker Ella van Kerkhoven rose above the defence to head Sheryl Merchier’s free kick past Lee Alexander.
Abbi Grant and Leanne Crichton missed chances to equalise before City were awarded their penalty for hand ball on the half hour. Anderlecht were the better side in the second 45 and would have gone further ahead but for two fine saves from Alexander. But the keeper was beaten for a second time late on, with Elke van Gorp the scorer.
Slovenian striker Lara Ivanusa opened her City account in the third minute of time added on, but it was too late to make any difference. Gornik thrashed Georgian champions Martve 12-0 in the second group game.