Group 4: HJK pip Swiss hopefuls
Sunday, September 29, 2002
Article summary
HJK Helsinki are through to a UEFA Women's Cup quarter-final against holders 1. FFC Frankfurt.
Article body
HJK Helsinki are through to the UEFA Women's Cup quarter-finals for the second season running after topping Group 4 on goal difference.
Sursee unbeaten but out
Swiss side FC Sursee came through their three matches without conceding a goal, but managed only two to HJK's ten without reply, sending the Finnish representatives into the last eight.
Di Fonzo on target
Both of the eventual top two set their stall out on the opening day, HJK beating Polish group hosts KS AZS Wroclaw 2-0 with an early goal from Christina Forssell and a late clincher scored by substitute Hanna Saaranen, while Sursee overcame Welsh team Bangor City GFC 1-0, with Monica Di Fonzo on target after 40 minutes.
HJK score eight
The second set of matches saw HJK do their goal difference a decisive world of good as they beat Bangor 8-0, Anna-Kaisa Rantanen's first-half hat-trick the key to helping the Helsinki side to a 6-0 lead at the break. Sursee ended the hopes of Wroclaw with another 1-0 win, but they now knew they needed to beat HJK in the group decider.
Goalless draw enough
However, Sursee were unable to score as a goalless draw proved enough for HJK to progress into a tough quarter-final against holders 1. FFC Frankfurt. Wroclaw secured third place in the group as they overcame Bangor 4-2.