Maes goal gives Duisburg the edge

Reigning European titleholders FCR 2001 Duisburg hold the edge in their all-German UEFA Women's Champions League semi-final against 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam thanks to a Femke Maes goals.

Duisburg coach Martin Voss-Tecklenburg had predicted a match dominated by defence she was proved right in an intense encounter with few clear chance. Ultimately, a shot from 22 metres by Maes proved enough to give her side a lead for the return in Potsdam next Sunday.

German champions and league leaders Potsdam were on top early on, propelled forward by former Duisburg playmaker Fatmire Bajramaj. With four minutes played, she surged into the left side of the area, but her effort went wide. Duisburg first came close when winter signing Kozue Ando, who had been deemed eligible to play this week, saw an effort from 17 metres parried for a corner.

The game was now picking up and Jennifer Zietz hit the crossbar from close range on 19 minutes, while at the other end Simone Laudehr had an effort blocked after pouncing on a free-kick from the otherwise quiet Inka Grings. It was rather against the run of play, though, that Duisburg broke the deadlock, Maes picking up the ball in midfield and beating Desiree Schumann from distance. Straight from the kick-off, Potsdam moved forward but Nadine Kessler was denied by Ursula Holl.

Potsdam were a quieter side after conceding as both sides came in with some intense challenges. That was the case early in the second half as both defences proved adept at preventing chances. With three minutes left, Holl then preserved Duisburg's advantage over the 2004/05 UEFA Women's Cup winners, turning Mittag's low shot around the post after Potsdam's best passing move of the half.