Match Centre | FC Twente 7-0 Cardiff City

Women

4th September

Despite producing a valiant performance, City fell to defeat to FC Twente in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.

MATCH SUMMARY

Despite facing talented opposition, the Bluebirds were dogged and resolute in the first half. The hosts took the lead after five minutes through Dutch international Kayleigh van Dooren. City reacted well and were looking dangerous on the counter-attack, particularly through Mikayla Cook on the left flank.

With 17 minutes on the clock, van Dooren netted her second goal of the evening, but the Bluebirds again reacted well, but were 2-0 down at the half time interval.

FC Twente added a third goal on the hour mark through Sophie Te Brake, before the hosts showed their quality, with three goals in five minutes to seal victory. In added-time, Jaimy Ravensbergen converted a penalty, as they progress to the final in Group 5.

Pre-match | Iain Darbyshire

Ahead of the first qualifying round clash, head coach Darbyshire said: “We're very excited and we're already really impressed by the facilities here in Holland. It's a different challenge to what we faced last year in Lithuania. The group have travelled well.

“We're all settled and we're really looking forward to the game, because there's been a lot of preparation going into this campaign.

“It's absolutely incredible. As a coach and as a football fan, you want to be involved in the biggest competitions and this is the biggest female competition in world football. We’re excited for the players to go and show what they can do against huge opposition.”

City have been preparing for competing in the UEFA Women’s Champions League by facing some tough opposition in pre-season, providing invaluable learning for the squad.

“It was a very challenging pre-season and we knew it was going to be with the amount of players that we've had leave and new players coming in,” Iain continued. “It's essentially a fresh squad. We know that we have to play a little bit different to last year and we're excited for that.

“I think we’ve all been tested in pre-season with some very difficult fixtures, which is what we plan for. I think we've prepared as well as we can.”

Our opponents, FC Twente won the title in the 2023/24 season by two points, finishing above league rivals Ajax.

Iain concluded: “We’ve seen a couple of their games, they’re going to be very comfortable on the ball. They're full of international players and they're a massive football club, Dutch champions, which tells you a lot. I think for us, it's about getting used to not having the ball as much as we'd have in our league.

“That has been the biggest challenge so far and understanding the defensive principles and how we can affect them in possession with where we want them to go and what our triggers are for releasing. We're not used to playing that way, so it’s been good learning for myself, the players and the coaches.”

Pre-match | Mikayla Cook

Wing-back Mikayla Cook, who had a stellar campaign in the 2023/24 season, added: “I'm really excited. There's a very good atmosphere going around the squad at the minute. We've been put in a lot of hard work and I think we're just looking forward to tomorrow.

“I think pre-season has gone really well. We've had a really tough couple of games, but that's been really good preparation for us in the build-up to this week.”

Commenting on our opposition, Mik continued: “I think this will be a real challenge to play the Dutch champions. We know they're going to be very good on the ball, but I think we've had very good preparation for that with the teams we've played.

“So yeah, I think they're going to be a really good test for us. It was an unknown for us last year. It was ten years since the Club had been in the Champions League, so I think this year, now we've got that bit more experience. I think last year definitely helped us prepare a lot more for this year.”

This will be the defender’s second UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign, building on what was an impressive year last season.

“When the song is playing and you're walking out with your teammates, there's no better experience, especially to do it with these bunch of girls, it's just amazing.”

OPPOSITION FOCUS

FC Twente are nine-time winners of the Eredivisie, having been founded in 2007 as one of the founding members of the league.

The side are managed by 35-year-old Joran Pot, who has been in the role since 2022. During his playing days, Pot represented RBC Roosendaal, FC Zwolle and Go Ahead Eagles.

In the 2023/24 campaign, the Tukkers claimed top spot after amassing 56 points from 22 matches, finishing just two points above title rivals Ajax.

In last season's UEFA Women's Champions League campaign, Twente progressed through the first qualifying round with wins over Sturm Graz and Levante, but were then defeated over two legs by Swedish outfit BK Häcken.