Jaszczak's Medyk thrill, Glasgow rallying cry
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
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Roman Jaszczak is delighted KKPK Medyk Konin are taking a 2-0 lead to Glasgow City FC, whose coach Eddie Wolecki Black wants support to match the Polish side's last week.
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A sell-out 3,000 crowd watched UEFA Women's Champions League debutants KKPK Medyk Konin defeat experienced Glasgow City FC 2-0 last Wednesday, with both sides knowing whoever goes through has a great chance of a maiden quarter-final.
The winner of the tie between Medyk and Glasgow will face one of two other teams who came through August's qualifying round – FC Zürich Frauen or, if they can overturn a 5-2 deficit in Switzerland, ŽNK Osijek. Goals from Ewa Pajor – the 17-year-old's eighth European strike of the season – and Aleksandra Siko ensured the Polish champions have a great chance of advancing to that round of 16 tie in which both they or Glasgow would be strong contender.
However, at Glasgow's European home of the Excelsior Stadium on Wednesday, Medyk face a team who twice have made the round of 16 and who sealed an eighth straight Scottish title in the usual convincing style this year. Still, Konin coach Roman Jaszczak is thrilled by their position, the 2-0 win extending their 100% record in Europe so far, with 23 goals scored and just one conceded.
"It was a great result for us but we know that there is a long way to go," Jaszczak said. "Glasgow were clear favourites before [the first leg]. My players played at 120% of their abilities. I am proud of them. Now we have a real chance to qualify. If someone told me before the game that we would win 2-0, I would have taken that without question."
Glasgow, competing in the knockout phase for the fourth season running, have certainly taken their preparations seriously. With the home of Airdrieonians FC selected for their European games, starting with the qualifying round, they switched their domestic games to the Excelsior from their regular Petershill Park to get accustomed to their surroundings.
However, they have a tough task overturning the 2-0 deficit. Manager Eddie Wolecki Black told BBC Scotland: "We certainly never performed and, in football, especially at Champions League level, you need to perform. We had chances but unfortunately we never took them when they came along.
"However, if ever we needed motivation to turn this around we just needed to look at their celebrations at the final whistle. The crowd was the 12th player for them [in the first leg], without a doubt, and I hope we can get the same numbers and noise."