Zürich, Konak Belediyespor seal early progress
Saturday, August 10, 2013
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Two of the ten available spaces in the round of 32 were filled on the second day of qualifying round action, FC Zürich and Konak Belediyespor the teams to progress with a game to spare.
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FC Zürich and Turkish debutants Konak Belediyespor sealed their places in the round of 32 with a game to spare on day two of the UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying round.
Two of ten sides to have a maximum six points, they are the only clubs certain of being in the knockout phase going into the final round of matches on Tuesday.
The eight group winners, plus the two runners-up with the best records against the sides first and third in their sections, will proceed to the draw for the last 32 on 5 September.
Group 1
Konak Belediyespor can look forward to facing Cardiff City FC on Tuesday with the pressure off following a 2-1 victory against WFC SFK 2000 Sarajevo sealed by Cosmina Duşa's late double. The Turkish side cannot be overhauled by either FC NSA Sofia – who responded to their 2-0 matchday one loss to Konak with an identical triumph over Cardiff – or Sarajevo, 3-0 winners themselves first time out.
Group 2
ZFK Spartak Subotica and CFF Olimpia Cluj will meet in a final-day decider after both teams enjoyed sizeable wins. Milena Nikolić scored a hat-trick in Spartak Subotica's opening 10-0 stroll against SK Liepājas Metalurgs and she repeated the feat as FK Gintra Universitetas were vanquished 6-0. Olimpia Cluj, who trail their rivals on goals scored, went one better, putting seven without reply past their Latvian opponents.
Group 3
WFC Kharkiv and MTK Hungária FC, both victorious, are also preparing for a winner-takes-all encounter. Having been a goal down, the former ran out 2-1 victors against Raheny United FC, while Fanni Vágó sent MTK on their way to a 2-0 victory over Crusaders Strikers WFC with a superb 25-metre strike.
Group 4
FC Zürich are through with a game to spare. The Swiss outfit followed up their 5-0 win against second-placed Clube Atlético Ouriense by dispatching Ekonomist 4-1, captain Fabienne Humm catching the eye with a bicycle kick as she inspired her side with a second successive two-goal performance. Mini-tournament hosts Atlético Ouriense overcame KÍ Klaksvík 2-1.
Group 5
RTP Unia Racibórz require a point against FC Bobruichanka to advance. Five goals up at half-time, the Polish champions prevailed 7-0 against point-less KS Ada Velipoje. Earlier, ŽNK Pomurje Beltinci came from behind to beat Bobruichanka, who had Jane David sent off, 3-1.
Group 6
PK-35 Vantaa – 13-1 winners against ŽFK Biljanini Izvori on Thursday – will be all but assured of progress if they beat FC PAOK Thessaloniki next week having drawn 0-0 with second-placed Pärnu JK, themselves on four points but with a vastly inferior goal difference. PAOK, a point further back, are also in contention, Dimitra Panteliadou impressing in a 5-0 defeat of Macedonian representatives Biljanini Izvori.
Group 7
Andreea Laiu scored the only goal as hosts Apollon Limassol LFC earned their second win in 48 hours, defeating Goliador-SS11 in Paphos. The Cypriot selection are two points clear of last-day opponents ASA Tel-Aviv FC, who were held to a frustrating goalless draw by FC Nové Zámky.
Group 8
There will also be a last-day decider between Glasgow City LFC and FC Twente, both of whom have yet to drop a point or concede. A Sarah Crilly treble shaped the Scottish outfit's 9-0 demolition of Birkirkara FC, while hosts Twente eased past WFC Osijek 4-0.