Ferencváros fall just short in Women’s Champions League quest

Balázs Dörnyei’s side had begun their campaign last Wednesday with a match against hosts Slovan Bratislava, and despite falling behind to a Monika Bytčánková headed goal in the 33rd minute, were level before half-time as Petra Kocsán converted a Sára Pusztai cross from the right. Slovan had dictated the tempo in the first half, but Ferencváros increasingly took the initiative in the second, substitute Marija Aleksić scoring with her first touch of the ball in the 67th minute as she curled the ball into the top corner from just outside the box, then Fanni Diószegi making sure of the three points as she slotted home in the 83rd minute.

Moldovan champions Anenii Noi were next up last Saturday, Ferencváros dominating as they scored two first-half goals – an own goal by Diana Loghin in the 25th minute and a Katalin Fogl strike three minutes before half time. Anenii held firm in the second half though, as Ferencváros ran out 2-0 winners against a side which had lost their opening match 12-0 to Spartak Subotica.

With Subotica having defeated hosts Slovan 7-0 on Matchday 2, Ferencváros knew that nothing other than victory in the final match would see them through to the last 32. Starting strongly, a sixteen-yard strike from Fanni Vágó gave Fradi a 20th minute lead and with Subotica restricted to long-range efforts, it was 1-0 at half-time. That lead held until the 56th minute, Tijana Filipović arriving in the box to equalise and leave the Budapest side in need of another goal. Things looked good when Vágó scored again to put Fradi 2-1 up in the 78th minute, but Subotica replied almost immediately, Tijana Matić levelling in the 80th minute. Ferencváros succeeded in creating plenty of chances in the remaining minutes but were unable to score the third goal they required as Subotica progressed.

Speaking after the third match, head coach Balázs Dörnyei said: “I’m proud of the girls; they refused to buckle and continued to create chances. A little bit of composure and luck were missing. Our opponents are regular Champions League participants and perhaps this distracted the girls a little. They’re obviously very disappointed. Now we need to regroup and prepare for our match against MTK at the weekend”.

August 7th, Pasienky Stadion, Bratislava

Slovan Bratislava 1-3 Ferencváros
Goalscorers: SVN: Bytčánková (33’); FER: Kocsán (39’), Aleksić (67’), Diószegi (83’)

August 10th, Pasienky Stadion, Bratislava

Ferencváros 2-0 Anenii Noi
Goalscorers: Loghin (own goal, 25’), Fogl (42’)

August 13th, Pasienky Stadion, Bratislava

Ferencváros 2-2 Spartak Subotica
Goalscorers: FER: Vágó (20’, 78’); SUB: Filipović (56’), Matić (80’)