Page 6 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.25 2022-23

Arsenal and Chelsea experienced mixed emotions in their
respective first leg ties in the UEFA Women’s Champions
League quarter finals but there is plenty of hope that both can
take their places in the last four.
Arsenal were first in action on Tuesday night against
Bayern Munich and were on the receiving end of a 1-0
scoreline.
The only goal of the game came six minutes before half time, when Lena Schuller
powerfully headed in a cross by Maximiliane Rall. Schuller nearly added a second minutes
later but she lifted her shot just over the bar.
The second half saw Arsenal pile forward in search of an equaliser and went close on a
number of occasions. Caitlin Foord curled a shot against the post and Saki Kumagai cleared
off the line from a Stina Blackstenius header. Leah Williamson also saw an effort blocked on
the line by goalscorer Schuller but at the other end, Manuela Zinsberger did well to prevent
Bayern from scoring a second late on with a point blank save to deny Rall.
Chelsea also faced a tough tie the following night away to Olympique Lyonnais and
needed to withstand early pressure from the hosts before producing a devastating strike on
the half hour. Following good work by Erin Cuthbert, Guro Reiten curled in a delightful shot
to send her side into the lead.
It could have been two five minutes later but Lauren James’ shot came back off the post
but Chelsea were dealt a blow shortly afterwards when Millie Bright was forced to limp off.
Lyon themselves struck the woodwork during the second half, Delphine Cascarino
producing the shot on the hour mark, and Danielle van de Donk also went close for the home
side. Chelsea needed to withstand a number of Lyon attacks as the half wore on but they
stood firm under the pressure and there were few anxious moments as they ensured that
they would take their one-goal lead into the return leg at Stamford Bridge.

Kelly Simmons is to leave the Football Association, after over 30 years of developing and
driving the women’s and girls’ and grassroots game in England forward.
She will step back from her current role as our Director of Women’s Professional Game
in the summer, before leaving the FA next year.
It will bring to an end a remarkable spell with the organisation for Kelly, who will leave
an enduring legacy after making a significant contribution to the growth of the women’s
game in particular.
During her career at the FA which began in December 1991, she held a variety of
development roles in both the men’s and women’s game, has led on the creation and delivery
of some of our most successful national game strategies and built some of our strongest teams.
Among her proudest achievements are establishing the England women’s youth teams
and the Female Player Pathway, embedding football development within County FAs as part
of the first National Game strategy for grassroots football and overseeing the youth review
which drove strong growth in young people playing the game.
In recent years, Kelly’s work has seen her drive the women’s professional game with
passion and purpose, which has seen the Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays
Women’s Championship become exciting competitions with some of the world’s best
players, commercial partners and broadcasters and a huge following.
Her work and influence was recognised in June 2021 when she received an OBE for her
services to women's football as part of the Queen's birthday honours list.
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