Important Home Victory Against Fortuna Hjørring

On Saturday afternoon, three crucial points were at stake as HB Køge Women hosted Fortuna Hjørring at Køge Idrætspark. Their closest rivals in the title race, Brøndby IF, won their match against Kolding IF on Friday evening and temporarily moved to the top of the table. Therefore, three points were a necessity if the Swans were to reclaim first place.

From the opening whistle, it was clear that HB Køge Women were determined to go all out for the win. After just seven minutes, Jereko fired a strong effort towards goal that looked destined for the left corner. The ball narrowly missed the target, but it gave the visitors from North Jutland an early warning of what was to come.

After a little more than fifteen minutes, HB Køge Women threatened again from a corner kick, where Simone Boye rose highest and headed towards goal. Her effort was denied by an excellent foot save from Fortuna’s goalkeeper, and the score remained 0-0. Mille Gejl also tried her luck with a well-struck long-range effort, but the shot flew over the crossbar. The away side struggled to create major opportunities, and the teams went into halftime with the score level at 0-0.

Ten minutes into the second half, the deadlock was finally broken – in favor of HB Køge Women. Catherine Paulson was played down the right flank and delivered a cross towards Macy Schultz. The cross was cleared by a Fortuna defender, but the ball fell kindly to Nadia Nadim, who calmly finished into the back of the net. It was Nadim’s first goal of the spring season and her 12th goal in the A-League. She is now just one goal away from equaling Joy Omewa at the top of the scoring charts.

A few smaller chances followed throughout the remainder of the match, but none developed into clear-cut opportunities. HB Køge Women were therefore able to secure a hugely important victory in the title race and reclaim first place, sitting one point ahead of Brøndby IF.

HB Køge Women now have two matches remaining this season, and victories in both would see the Swans crowned Danish champions once again. Their next match takes place in Aarhus, where AGF await on Sunday, May 31 at 12:00 PM at Ceres Park Vejlby.

Watch the highlights here

HB Køge Women 1-0 Fortuna Hjørring
1-0 Nadia Nadim (55’)

HB Køge Women Starting Lineup
1. Alberte Vingum
2. Maria Uhre
3. Macy Schultz
9. Nadia Nadim
11. Cassandra Korhonen
13. Catherine Paulson
18. Avani Brandt
19. Signe Markvardsen
23. Mille Gejl
28. Simone Boye
33. Jereko

HB Køge Women Substitutions
Sarah Thygesen for Catherine Paulson (67’)
Rikke Marie Madsen for Cassandra Korhonen (67’)
Emma Pelkowski for Nadia Nadim (82’)
Emilia Pelgander for Jereko (88’)

A-League Championship Round
Round 9, Saturday, May 23 at 2:00 PM
Køge Idrætspark, 394 spectators