Brøndby and Duisburg ease through
Sunday, October 12, 2008
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Brøndby IF and FCR Duisburg are through to the UEFA Women's Cup quarter-finals leaving only two knockout berths up for grabs in the concluding second qualifying round fixtures on Tuesday.
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Duo through
Umeå IK, ASD CF Bardolino Verona, Olympique Lyonnais and Arsenal LFC ensured their progress with a match to spare on Saturday and their number was added to following the second set of matches in Group B4 in Ukraine. Brøndby edged to a 1-0 victory against UD Levante on Friday but it was more comfortable today as they defeated hosts WFC Naftokhimik 5-1 while Duisburg ended the hopes of the Spanish champions 5-0 to remain top on goal difference.
Pape double
Cathrine Paaske Sorensen opened the scoring for Brøndby in the 17th minute and Maiken Pape doubled the lead from the penalty spot just before the break after Tanja Mejer Christensen was fouled. Pape struck again with 17 minutes left and although the home side pulled one back, substitutes Lene Jensen and Kristina Kragh confirmed victory late on.
Repeat performance
While Brøndby have been in the knockout phase five times before, Duisburg are making their European debut but have so far shown they can match the achievements of the other teams to have represented Germany, 1. FFC Frankfurt and 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam, who have both lifted the trophy. Having beaten Naftochimik 5-1, they also struck five against Levante, again Inka Grings and Simone Laudehr both scoring twice. Grings's goals came on four and eight minutes with Laudehr scoring midway through both halves before substitute Charline Hartmann's late clincher.
Tuesday deciders
Duisburg now only need a draw against Brøndby on Tuesday to finish top and play the Group B1 runners-up rather than winners. Currently in second place in that pool in Norway are holders Frankfurt, who know a win against Glasgow City LFC would take them through while Zvezda-2005, three points clear, will confirm top spot by drawing with home side Røa IL.
Potential ties
In the other pools the two qualifiers are decided, though not their order, with the home sides currently ahead on goal difference. Umeå will aim to hold off the challenge of Bardolino in Group B2 while Lyon will seek to top Group B3 by avoiding defeat against Arsenal at Stade de Gerland. If positions stay as they are, Umeå will have a chance to avenge their 2007 final loss to Arsenal while last season's beaten semi-finalists Lyon and Bardolino will be matched.