With just a point separating these two sides ahead of kickoff at BK Häcken’s Bravida Arena on Wednesday, the victors would look to all but confirm their participation in the knockout stages of the 2023/24 UEFA Women’s Champions League.
HAC: Falk; Wijk, Luik, Rybrink, Kosola; Curmark, Fossdalsá; Bah, Kafaji, Anvegård; Larisey
PAR: Nnadozie; Soyer, Hocine, Sissoko, Bogaert; Thiney, Le Mouël, Corboz; Dufour, Ribadeira, Matéo
A cagey start to life at the Bravida Arena saw BK Häcken come close to taking the lead, as Rusul Kafaji picked out Clarissa Larisey with a sublime pass – but the Canadian couldn’t capitalise, with the goalless stalemate dragging on for just a while longer.
The Swedish side would be granted a golden opportunity to take the lead soon after though, and in controversial circumstances as Larisey’s cross from the byline struck the hand of Teninsoun Sissoko inside the box. The French defender appeared to think the ball had travelled out of play, but would receive a yellow card for her protests nonetheless – and BK Häcken would have a chance from twelve yards out.
Chiamaka Nnadozie had been an immovable presence for Nigeria throughout the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and her goalkeeping talents were on full display once again on a chilly Wednesday evening – as she dived low to her right to deny a tame penalty effort from Kafaji
Embed from Getty ImagesBK Häcken would squander a number of further opportunities before the break, with Monica Jusu Bah seeing her strike denied by the left post before Matéo blazed a speculative effort just over the crossbar – ultimately seeing the two sides remain inseparable at the interval.
Sloppy possession in midfield saw Paris FC dispossessed just minutes into the second half at the Bravida Arena, allowing Larisey to dart through towards goal once again although the forward was denied the chance to get a shot off after sublime defending from Julie Soyer.
But les Parisiennes would come again, with Gaëtane Thiney latching on to a fine dinked ball to force a save from Jennifer Falk before Josefine Rybrink was able to hoof the danger clear.
Paris FC would seemingly be dealt a blow just twenty minutes from time, when Nnadozie appeared to be injured in a collision with Larisey as the Canadian darted through on goal – with her boot seemingly clipping the Nigerian’s head. The goalkeeper was able to continue though.
Les Parisiennes’ best chance of the match would fall in the dying seconds of the clash, as a fine cross from Julie Soyer fell perfectly for Louise Fleury at the back post. The substitute could only send her shot flying over the bar though.
It was a mistake that could have sealed Paris FC’s elimination, when Kafaji looked destined to hand BK Häcken the lead in stoppage time with a curling effort that forced a strong save from Nnadozie – with the six minutes of added time seemingly spurring both sides on to push for all three points.
