Glasgow City reached the last 32 of the UEFA Women’s Champions League after an impressive 4-0 win over Ukrainian Champions Zhilstroy-1 at Airdrie Stadium.
Going into the match, City needed to win with Zhilstroy-1 boasting a better goal difference and the Scottish Champions did not disappoint with a controlled display and goals from Denise O’Sullivan, Jo Love and Fiona Brown securing their path to the elite knock out round.
City took the lead on eight minutes. Great play by Fiona Brown down the left saw the City striker cut the ball back to Leanne Crichton on the edge of the box. The City and Scotland midfielder hit a sweet strike towards the bottom corner which was well saved by Iryna Sanina in the Zhilstory goal, but the keeper could only parry the ball out and City’s Denise O’Sullivan made no mistake to fire her side into the lead from a tight angle.
Less than ten minutes later and City were 2-0 up. A clever corner from Susan Fairlie and Fiona Brown led to a cross into the box which Jo Love headed past Sanina to give her side a good advantage at the break.
In the second half, City remained in full control and scored a quite brilliant third when the impressive Brown took on three defenders on the edge of the box before unleashing a thunderous strike into the back of the net and in turn score her first ever Champions League goal.
O’Sullivan then ensured City’s safe path through to the last 32 when she shot home from 8 yards out on the 63rd minute.
Commenting on the match, City Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black said, “I think we proved our tactics right with such a large change of personnel in the second group match. Our players were fresh and able to set the tempo of the game high. It certainly wasn’t an easy qualifying group and probably one of our hardest ever. I thought we played particularly well today and we are delighted to be in the last 32 and look forward to the draw a week tomorrow.”
The draw for the last 32 of the Women’s Champions League will take place at UEFA Headquarters in Nyon on 22nd August.
