Deadly set pieces made the difference against Brøndby IF

Last season’s top two met on Wednesday evening at 1964 Park in a match that did not quite turn into the spectacle one might have hoped for. Nevertheless, three goals were scored, and it was last season’s number one, HB Køge Women, who came away with the victory.

The opening goal arrived inside the first 10 minutes. A corner from Signe Markvardsen was delivered towards the back post, where Kyra Carusa rose highest and headed the ball into the net to make it 1-0 after eight minutes. A dream start for the Swans, who had laid a strong foundation for extending their unbeaten run.

There was otherwise little to report from the first half. Macy Schultz tested the Brøndby goalkeeper with a fine long-range effort that required a full-stretch save, but clear-cut chances were few and far between. The teams therefore headed into the break with HB Køge Women leading 1-0.

The intensity increased somewhat in the second half. Three yellow cards were shown, while a number of fouls meant the game became more stop-start than free-flowing for both sides. Perhaps fittingly, none of the goals on the night would come from open play.

After an hour, HB Køge Women won another corner, with Signe Markvardsen once again stepping up to take it. Once again, she aimed towards the back post, where Simone Boye was waiting. Without even needing to jump, she powered a header into the net, leaving the Brøndby goalkeeper with no chance and doubling the Swans’ lead to 2-0.

The hosts would also get themselves on the scoresheet, and once again it came following a corner. The ball was delivered from the left, where a Brøndby player headed it towards goal. Both Signe Markvardsen and Maria Uhre were in position to clear, but the former made awkward contact with the ball and it ended up in the net. However, Brøndby’s Michaela Kovacs was credited with the goal, as her initial header had been on target.

Following the goal, the hosts naturally pushed harder in search of an equaliser, but it never arrived. HB Køge Women could therefore head back to Køge with their fourth league victory from four matches this season.

The next challenge awaits on Wednesday, this time in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. The Swans travel to face Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven in the first of two matches in the third and final qualifying round.

The return leg will take place the following week, on Wednesday 2 September at 19:00 at Køge Idrætspark, and tickets for the match are already available here.
 

Watch the highlights here.

Brøndby IF 1-2 HB Køge Women
0-1 Kyra Carusa (8’)
0-2 Simone Boye (60’)
1-2 Michaela Kovacs (71’)

HB Køge Women starting XI
1. Alberte Vingum
2. Maria Uhre
3. Macy Schultz
7. Kyra Carusa
9. Nadia Nadim
11. Cassandra Korhonen
12. Sarah Thygesen
19. Signe Markvardsen
23. Mille Gejl
28. Simone Boye
33. Jereko

HB Køge Women substitutions
Rikke Marie Madsen for Sarah Thygesen (60’)
Zuzanna Witek for Kyra Carusa (61’)
Laura Hermann for Jereko (82’)

Brøndby IF 1-2 HB Køge Women
A-Liga, Matchday 4
Wednesday 19 August, 19:00
1964 Park