TWO invaluable away goals, both scored by Suzanne Lappin, have given Glasgow City every chance of a last-16 Uefa Women's Champions League tie against Arsenal.
Former Liverpool and Chelsea player Lappin, who is enjoying a great season, twice pegged Standard Liege back at the Stade Maurice Defrasne.
Despite the Belgians having to come to Glasgow next Thursday in search of goals, the last man who will have the deposed English champions on his mind is Eddie Wolecki Black. Never one to see the glass as being half full, the man who has masterminded seven successive Scottish titles believes the home leg is full of hazards. "We've never won a home tie in the Champions League yet," said the City head coach. "That said we've never played a second-leg game at Petershill Park either so that will be new for us. People will be surprised at the standard of Liege - no pun intended."
If Wolecki Black was circumspect about City's chances, he was full of praise for his scorer, whose form has taken her back into the Scotland set-up this year. "She took the goals really well," he said. "You usually associate Suzanne with headers so it just shows you she has much more in her locker. She never had anything to prove to me; I've said all along she can play at this level."
City had the better of the opening exchanges, with Sue Mulvey firing an 18-yard shot past the post in only the second minute. Sabrina Broos, the Standard goalkeeper, then made a good save from Jess Fishlock as City kept the pressure on their hosts.
With the home side coming more into the game they went ahead in the 27th minute. Tessa Wullaert's shot was blocked but Vanity Lewerissa, her striking partner, followed up to give the Belgians the lead. City could have gone two behind when a cross found Audrey Demoustier unmarked but Lee Alexander saved the header before doing so again from the same player's free kick.
With half-time approaching, City got themselves back into the game and scored a vital away goal at an ideal moment. Fishlock fed Nicola Docherty who crossed to the far post where Lappin volleyed the ball home.
Five minutes into the second half, the hosts regained the lead after a moment Alexander will want to forget. Running out of her box to make a headed clearance she made a hash of it, leaving Wulleart with an absolute gift. "The ball skidded up off the surface when Lee went to head it and the girl was left with a tap in from six yards," explained Wolecki Black. "It was unfortunate but I have to say I'd be happy if all my players only made one mistake a game."
Fortunately for the goalkeeper, Lappin equalised for a second time in the 66th minute. Ruesha Littlejohn's shot was blocked but Lappin made no mistake from the edge of the box.
The winners will meet Arsenal, who can relax following a 7-1 first leg demolition of CSHVSM-Kairat 7-1 in Kazakhstan. Kim Little scored twice.
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