Arsenal profit from late drama

By Paul Saffer

Arsenal LFC produced two dramatic comebacks to edge out Torres Terra Sarda and claim a place in the UEFA Women's Cup semi-finals.

Late goals
Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, 2002/03 semi-finalists Arsenal levelled the aggregate score by half-time with two goals from Angela Banks. However, with 22 minutes left Merete Pedersen claimed what appeared a vital away goal - only for Jayne Ludlow and Julie Fleeting to strike for Vic Akers's side and set up a last-four tie with Swedish champions Djurgården/Älvsjö.

Torres chances
Eager to build on their victory from last Sunday in Sardinia, Torres started with a three-pronged strikeforce of Pedersen, Chiara Gazzoli and Maria Rita Guarino, enabling them to force the early initiative. Gazzoli pounced on a loose ball in the fourth minute but headed straight at goalkeeper Emma Byrne. Gaurino then shot wide before Arsenal found their feet.

Banks strikes
Fleeting and Faye White both had efforts blocked after a Clare Wheatley free-kick, and a goal arrived on 36 minutes when a clearance hit Lianne Sanderson and was picked up by Fleeting, whose shot hit the post only for the rebound to be turned in by Banks.

Tie level
The celebrations had barely ended when Arsenal levelled the tie. Banks broke on the right, cut in and comfortably shot past Torres goalkeeper Elisa Forlucci. Torres were now clinging on, but held out until half-time and emerged a stronger team after the interval.

Pedersen on target
Two Pamela Conti free-kicks caused trouble, one over and the other saved by Byrne, and at the midway point of the half Guarino found Gioia Masia whose cross was turned in by Danish international striker Pedersen.

Ludlow head in
Arsenal again now needed two goals, but five minutes after Torres scored, Ludlow rose highest to head in a Wheatley free-kick. With ten minutes left Ciara Grant headed another Wheatley free-kick on to the bar, but soon afterwards Arsenal edged ahead in the tie for the first time as a Fleeting cross dipped and deflected in off the bar.

Women's EURO
Gazzoli had a chance to turn the tie late on, only for Byrne to make the save which enabled Arsenal to celebrate clinching a place in April's semi-finals. Thus, the possibility remains that the nation that is staging next summer's UEFA European Women's Championship will also put on one leg of the UEFA Women's Cup final.