Women’s Champions League: Scots duo suffer Champions League exits
Glasgow City and SWPL champions Hibernian saw their hopes of progressing in the Women’s Champions League halted with both sides beaten in their second qualifying round semi final ties. City’s 2-0 loss to Austria Vienna means they drop into the new Europa Cup, which is being introduced, while Hibs have to face Cypriot side Apollon Ladies on Saturday to earn their place. Glasgow, the second placed team in the SWPL were in Vienna and keen to get the win against the hosts, but found themselves behind just after half time. The home side found success with a free kick on the 49th minute as Katharina Schiechtl sent one in from 30 yards out as the ball dropped into the bottom corner. Austria Vienna nicked a second one at the end after Glasgow lost possession in the midfield, allowing the hosts to catch them on the break. It was left to Maria Olsen to kill off Glasgow’s hopes, burying her chance past Lee Gibson and dropping Leanne Ross’ side into the Europa Cup. For Hibs, they have one more chance to prolong their European interests after Danish side Fortuna Hjørring sunk them with a last-minute winner, losing 2-1, to end their Champions League hopes. Both sides missed penalties early in the first half as Kathleen McGovern’s spot kick was saved while Fortuna’s Omewa Ogochukwu blasted hers over the bar. Rachael Boyle gave the SWPL champions the lead early in the second half as Hibs gave themselves a fighting chance, but the Danes got back on level terms. Ogochukwu atoned for her earlier penalty miss by scoring with around 20 minutes and really made up for it with when she struck the winner late in injury time, leaving Hibs needing a win on Saturday against Apollon Ladies to stay in Europe.
Club Brugge humiliate Rangers to Champions League playoff defeat
Club Brugge 6 – 0 Rangers Club Brugge win 9-1 on aggregate A rampant Club Brugge side hit Rangers for six in a humiliating performance, relegating the visitors to the Europa League and piling further pressure on Russell Martin. Martin made two changes from Sunday’s draw with St Mirren with Nasser Djida and Danilo replacing Emmanuel Fernandez and Nicolas Raskin and looking to overturn a 3-1 deficit from the first leg at Ibrox eight days ago. But their hopes were shattered within the opening five minutes as Nicolo Tresoldi directed Joaquin Seys cross past Jack Butland. Things went from bad to worse when Max Aarons was sent off minutes later. The fullback pulled Christos Tzolis to the ground after the Greek attacker had raced clear, leaving Felix Zwayer no choice but to reach for his red card. From here, Rangers’ misery continued. The home side doubled their lead just after the half-hour mark as Hans Vanaken’s powerful header from Tzolis’ corner kick put further daylight between the two sides. Then they rounded off the first half in ruthless fashion, scoring three goals in seven minutes, starting with Seys netting the third on 41 minutes, sidefooting his rebounded strike following Kyriani Sabbe’s cross. The same player made it four shortly after, before Aleksandar Stankovic’s headed home Vanaken’s cross in added time. The half time whistle blew on an atrocious first half for the visitors. Martin had already been forced into a change, bringing James Tavernier on following Aaron’s red card, but made three more substitutes at halftime; Mohamed Diomande, Raskin and Finlay Curtis replacing Theo Aasgaard, Joe Rothwell and Djeidi Gassama. Nicky Hayen’s side continued to dominate, and Greek talent Tzolis, who will surely be involved against Scotland during the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, gathered Tresoldi’s audacious flick to roll past Butland. Brugge continued to dominate proceedings but could not add to their lead. Their victory secures passage to the Champions League draw, which takes place tomorrow evening. Rangers must pick themselves up quickly as Celtic visit Ibrox on Sunday. The humiliating result leaves Russell Martin with just three wins in ten competitive games in the Ibrox hot seat. Club Brugge: Mignolet, Seys (Siquet 58′) Mechele, Spileers, Sabbe (Audoor 72′), Onyedika. Stankovic, Tzolis (Nilsson 58′), Vanaken, Forbs (Diakhon 46′), Tresoldi (Furo 68′) Rangers: Butland, Aarons, Souttar, Djiga, Meghoma, Rothwell (Raskin 46′), Cameron, Aasgaard (Diomandé 46′), Antman (Tavernier 12′) Danilo (Barron 59′), Gassama (Curtis 46′)
