Convincing win in Aarhus and a perfect start to the season

HB Køge Women travelled to Aarhus on Saturday afternoon, where AGF awaited in the A-Liga. The two sides entered the match at opposite ends of the table, and it was HB Køge Women who dominated proceedings.

Much of the play took place around the AGF penalty area, but clear-cut chances were hard to come by in the opening stages. After 24 minutes, however, the Swans found the breakthrough. Laura Hermann won the ball high up the pitch and drove towards goal before playing Kyra Carusa in behind. Carusa squared the ball across the box to Catherine Paulson, who arrived at the back post and calmly guided it into the net to give HB Køge Women a 1-0 lead.

After 38 minutes, the Swans were handed a golden opportunity to double their advantage when Emelía Óskarsdóttir was brought down inside the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot. Captain Mille Gejl stepped up, but her effort struck the post. There were no further goals before the break, meaning HB Køge Women went into half-time with a 1-0 lead.

There was initially little to report in the second half – until Mille Gejl decided otherwise. The captain received the ball well outside the penalty area and opted to try her luck from distance. Her effort completely wrong-footed the AGF goalkeeper, who was moving in the opposite direction, and the ball found the net to make it 2-0 to HB Køge Women.

The hosts were reduced to 10 players shortly afterwards when Mai Wendicke was brought down by AGF’s last defender. That left the Swans with both a 2-0 lead and a numerical advantage heading into the final 15 minutes.

Sarah Thygesen took the resulting free kick. From a position where a cross appeared the obvious option, she instead went directly for goal. Her effort came close to finding the net, but the AGF goalkeeper managed to keep the ball out on the line.

The match ended 2-0 to HB Køge Women, who continue their perfect start to the season with five wins from five.

The next challenge comes already on Wednesday, when PSV Eindhoven visit Køge for a hugely important UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifier. The Swans won the first leg in Eindhoven 1-0 and therefore head into the decisive return fixture at Køge Idrætspark with a strong starting point.

Kick-off is at 19:00 on Wednesday, and tickets for the match are available at hbkogew.eventii.dk. 

Watch the highlights here

AGF 0-2 HB Køge Women
0-1 Catherine Paulson (24')
0-2 Mille Gejl (67')

HB Køge Women starting XI
66. Lauren Kozal
2. Maria Uhre
4. Yukina Sakabe
7. Kyra Carusa
12. Sarah Thygesen
13. Catherine Paulson
22. Emelía Óskarsdóttir
23. Mille Gejl
24. Laura Hermann
25. Augusta Callesen
32. Emma Flick

HB Køge Women substitutions
Samantha Williams for Catherine Paulson (46')
Macy Schultz for Emelía Óskarsdóttir (60')
Mai Wendicke for Kyra Carusa (60')
Andrea Termansen for Emma Flick (60')
Jereko for Mille Gejl (71')

AGF 0-2 HB Køge Women
A-Liga, Matchday 5
Saturday, August 29, 13:00
Ceres Park Vejlby