In the first qualifying round of the Women’s Champions League, Peamount United bowed out to Croatian team, Osijek, with a 2-1 defeat. Two swift goals at the outset of the second half sealed the European adventure’s fate for Peamount United at Stadion Gradski Vrt, Saturday. Even though Dearbhaile Beirne started scoring for Peamount early in the match, Izabela Lojna and Paula Petkovic ensured it was Osijek moving to the next level with their successful strikes.
During the semi-final the previous Wednesday against Dinamo Minsk, Peamount had come alive with Ellen Dolan’s goal in the seventh minute. They started even quicker for their match with Osijek, the tournament hosts. Osijek’s goalie, Arina Vasiliki Anastasiadis, fumbled to handle Karen Duggan’s shot from beyond the box, allowing Beirne to net the rebound within the first four minutes of the match.
Maintaining domination, Peamount came close to doubling their score in the opening quarter, only for Anastasiadis to foil Beirne’s second goal attempt. However, entering the second half with a one-goal lead, their advantage evaporated quickly. Just two minutes in, Lojna’s volley levelled the scores, following a high ball by Maja Joscak.
A misplaced pass by Niamh Reid-Burke out of her defensive area fell to Petkovic, who clinically chipped the ball past the Peamount goalie, putting Osijek ahead within 50 minutes. Peamount, now trailing, struggled to reclaim the lead. Although captain Duggan’s shot in the 71st minute came close, only to be deflected by Anastasiadis, Osijek managed to hold their lead and proceed to the next round of the Women’s Champions League.
In the match at Osijek, the home team had Anastasiadis in the goal, with Bulut, Nevrkla, Cox and Garcia starting in defence. Garcia was, however, replaced by Kirilenko in the 13th minute. Porter, Joscak and Lubina formed the midfield, with Lubina being substituted for Petkovic in the 37th minute. Lojna, Balic and Zivkovic comprised the attacking trio, although Balic was later substituted by Andrlic in the 78th minute.
For visiting Peamount United, their goalkeeper was Reid-Burke, supported by a defensive line-up of O’Callaghan, Berrill, Moloney, and McCartan. Fitzgerald, Farrelly and Duggan occupied the midfield positions with Farrelly being replaced by Healy in the 87th minute. Upfront, Watkins, Dolan, and Beirne lead the attack. Beirne was substituted for Letmon in the 71st minute.
The referee for the match was E Nurmustafina from Kazakhstan.