In the presence of 20,000 viewers, Manchester City’s strong performance during their Champions League clash at the Tele2 Arena in Stockholm have them their fourth win in four games in this year’s Champions League campaign, taking away three essential points.
Despite the score line, Hammarby supporters and players celebrated on Thursday evening as a new record was broken for a Swedish women’s football match with 20,000 spectators in attendance to watch the thrilling game.
First Half:
The game got underway and Hammarby immediately started strong, pressing Manchester City’s defence from the get go, with a strong attacking threat.
The first corner of the game went Hammarby’s way but was swung off the head of a City player, resulting in a second corner. During the second corner, a high ball resulted in a Hammarby player going down clutching their head. However, the referee was happy to continue play, and City instantly countered the ball, challenging Hammarby goalkeeper Tamminen, who was able to safely collect the ball into her gloves.
Both teams were showing their potential, threatening the two goalkeepers for the game- Khiara Keating and Anna Tamminen, but despite both teams' energy, and half successful attempts on goal, neither team were able to get the first goal.
Despite City having more possession, Hammarby were definitely more efficient on the ball, creating more chances and more threats for City’s defence to manage.
Fowler won the ball, and sent it into the box. Shaw got the flick on it, which landed at Fujino’s feet, however no one could get on the end of the ball, which resulted in the ball just going wide.
City pressed forwards, as the ball reached Ouahabi, who was unable to get her shot away in the box, Tamminen quickly retrieving the ball.
Despite Hammarby’s strong attacking performance at the start of the first half, City were able to find the back of the net first, with Khadija Shaw giving City the lead. Shaw looped the ball in over the keeper, giving the Blues their first of the game, settling their nerves. Shaw was then booked for an animated celebration, but replays also showing an object seemingly being thrown her way from the stands.
1 - 0 - Shaw ‘31
With City taking the 1-0 advantage, Hammarby had fifteen minutes left of the first half, to find their way back into the game.
Shaw was dispossessed and a perfect through ball by Miyagawa sends Hammarby on their way, as Blackstad is able to pick up the ball, challenging the City defense as Keating scrambles. Despite Blackstad’s best attempt, the ball swung just left of the goal, as the presence of Kennedy and Prior, left Blackstad unable to make the back of the net. This was definitely Hammarby’s best chance of the first half.
HALF TIME: Hammarby IF 0 - 1 Manchester City
City came back from the interval refreshed, gaining more efficiency when they had possession of the ball.
Despite City's bright start to the second half, a slip from Prior resulted in Hammarby having possession of the ball. Hammarby pressed forwards, with Ellen Wangerheim in front of the goal, and Wangerheim was able to slot the ball past Keating, making the game back on level terms. Wangerheim instantly ran to celebrate with the home crowd and her teammates, as the home side now had more confidence as they progressed further into the second half.
1-1 Ellen Wangerheim ‘48
City came forwards, as Shaw created more space. Displaying some fancy footwork from just outside of the penalty box, Shaw expertly strook the ball into the ball of the net, reclaiming their slender lead only four minutes after Wangerheim’s goal.
Hammarby, eager to keep the game alive, attacked forwards but despite Tanberg’s effort Hammarby were denied by Keating twice, as Tanberg’s effort met the outstretched boot of Keating, before the second stretched save from Keating saw the ball fly away from the goal.
Wangerheim ventured alone towards the penalty box, however too many touches on the ball allowed Manchester City to recollect the ball on the counterattack, however nothing was able to come of this positive attack.
The home side prepared the first change of the game. Holmberg substituted in for Andersson. Gareth Taylor makes a change as well, as Prior leaves the field for Chloe Kelly.
Chloe Kelly makes an instant impact as she helps guide the ball down the left flank into Hammarby’s defensive half. Despite Kelly’s best efforts on the attack, a run into Wangerheim, results in a free kick going in the favour of Hammarby.
Shaw was once again at the scene of another attempt on goal, as she passed the ball to Fujino. A few too many touches for Fujino results in the City forward losing her balance and being unable to finalise the win for City. A yellow card was shown to Chloe Kelly as the City forward barged the Hammarby goalkeeper to the floor.
Once again the home side attacked strongly, however with the work of the City defenders and Keating, City were able to keep the ball out of the net.
The fourth official indicated a minimum of four minutes added time at the end of the second half, which gave Hammarby only four minutes to find their second goal and gain one point, whilst City had four minutes to maintain the score and keep the 3 points.
A long ball from Keating reached the feet of Shaw, which was collected by Chloe Kelly and a speculative right footed effort from long range found its way just wide of the goal.
Despite Hammarby’s best efforts, Keating was able to keep Hammarby out as she denied the goal effort, maintaining the score line.
As the final whistle blows in the Tele2 Arena, Manchester City's 2-1 victory gives Gareth Taylor’s side 12 points in the Group Stage, and secure the English side with a Quarterfinal spot.
FULL TIME: Manchester City 2-1 Hammarby
Khadija Shaw ‘31
Ellen Wangerheim ’48
Khadija Shaw ‘52
Starting XI’s:
Manchester City: Keating, Greenwood (C), Fowler, Kennedy, Ouahabi, Park, Blindkilde Brown, Fujino, Shaw, Hasegawa, Prior.
Hammarby: Tamminen, Lennartsson, Carlsson, Nyström, J.Andersson, Joramo, Miyagawa, Wangerheim, Vallotto, Blakstad, Tandberg.
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