PSV Women lost their first match in the final qualifying round of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. At TenCate Stadion De Herdgang, HB Køge proved too strong, winning 0-1. Kyra Carusa scored the only goal of the evening just before halftime.
PSV Women saw few major scoring chances emerge in an evenly matched opening phase. Kasper Kurland’s team did have a few opportunities from distance, but was unable to get past Danish goalkeeper Alberte Vingum before halftime. Liz Rijsbergen also posed a threat on several occasions, though this did not result in a goal for Eindhoven.
Just as both teams seemed headed for a 0-0 halftime score, HB Køge struck. From a corner kick, the ball found its way back into the penalty area via Rikke Marie Madsen, where Kyra Carusa scored from close range to make it 0-1.
In Search of the Equalizer
After halftime, the match remained evenly balanced, but PSV Women had to go in search of the equalizer. Kurland brought Princess Marfo and Sisca Folkertsma onto the field, among others, while Aymee Altena, Emma Frijns, and Shanice van de Sanden also came on as substitutes later on.
PSV had a great chance to tie the game in the second half after the Danes lost possession in midfield. Liz Rijsbergen found herself one-on-one with Vingum, but the goalkeeper made a brilliant save with her foot to prevent the equalizer. In the closing minutes, PSV ramped up the pressure even further, but HB Køge held firm.
As a result, PSV Women will travel to Denmark next week trailing by one goal. The second leg of the final qualifying round will be played on Wednesday, September 2. The winner of the two-leg series will advance to the league phase of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Score progression
45' Kyra Carusa 0-1
Evrard, Bross (Frijns), Cayman, Hendriks, Thrige; Renfurm, Lacroix (Folkertsma), Jacobs (Van de Sanden); Rijsbergen, Ripa (Princess) Hickelsberger (Altena).