Kuopio Palloseura has won the women’s Champions League qualifying tournament in the final of the Belgian multiple champion Anderlecht in the penalty shootout 4-3 rp, 2-2, 1-1 (0-1).
21.8. 21:59•Updated 21.8. 22:03
The top team of the national league, KuPS, beat Anderlecht in the final of the Women’s Champions League qualifying tournament in a penalty shootout 4-3 rp, 2-2, 1-1 (0-1).
Gentajana Rochi finished both of KuPS’ goals in the game and he also succeeded in the penalty shootout, which the Kuopio team won 4–3.
KuPS coach Ollipekka Ojala was glad that the team was able to turn the game around.
– This is the most amazing football match of my coaching career. We were better and this was a great performance from the team, praised the head coach on his club’s website.
KuPS played a great first half hour in Poland, but couldn’t get the ball into the net from two top positions. Ainö Kröger shot a piece of equipment on the upright in the 19th minute, and Lavdie Begolli on the other hand, failed in his own attempt in the 25th minute.
Romanian national team player of RSC Anderlecht Stefania Vatafu completed the 1–0 lead for the Belgians after the KuPS wastes in the 36th minute. The people of Kuopio were paralyzed by a setback for a while at the end of the opening half.
The American striker who replaced KuPS top Begoll in the second half Jade Talley was knocked upside down in the penalty area, and from the ensuing punt Gentjena Rochi brought Savoia to 1-1 in the 55th minute of the match.
Oona Siren a great long shot was saved from the top corner by Anderlecht’s goalkeeper By Justin Odeurs in the 82nd minute.
Rochi squandered and then offered shock therapy to his opponent
Roch had two great chances to score the final goal during the stoppage time, but luck was not there either. In time 90+1, he darted away, but shot the ball past the back post. Four minutes later, Rocchi cleverly misled the opponent, shaking the game tool into the side netting of the front post.
After KuPS’s numerous missed opportunities, Anderlecht got a goal opportunity after a long time, which it did not miss. Sarah Wijnants was allowed to finish the corner kick from the aftermath, freely from the back area for a 2–1 lead in the 102nd minute.
A nasty backlash seemed to take away the best edge from Palloseura, but in the final minute of the second half of the overtime match, Rochi headed in Talley’s cross to level the score at 2-2 and put the Finnish club into the penalty shootout, where KuPS, in addition to Rochi, succeeded Emmi Siren, Emma Peuhkurinen and Annastiina Simonen.
KuPS advanced to a two-part match to be played in a month, the winner of which will reach the group stage of the Women’s Champions League. Match pairs for the next qualifying round will be drawn later.