Match Report: Extra-time penalty denies valiant VCFF the derby win in 2021 opener (2-3)

The hosts started the game trying to pen Valencia CF Femenino inside their own box and looking to create menace down the wings while José Bargues’ side defended resolutely trying to hit their neighbours on the counter-attack.

Over the 15-minute mark, the visitors were dominating in possess while Valencia CF Femenino were playing through the opposition with ease. So much so, that Jansen opened the scoring on 17 minutes after getting on the end of a corner kick delivery by Ana Torrodà to head Valencia CF Femenino in front.

Esther restored parity on 20 minutes inside the 18-yard box after latching onto a cross from the right-hand side. The derby evened out with Valencia CF Femenino taking the initiative on the break whereas the opposition were dominating in terms of possession.

The visitors tried to play their way through the middle with through balls in between the lines. Valencia CF Femenino, really stuck-in, were unbreakable and the first half finished one apiece at the interval with all to play for in the second half. 

Valencia CF Femenino were off to a perfect start to the second half through Jansen’s double after meeting a pin-point  Bea Beltrán cross with a bullet of a header past María on 46 minutes to head Valencia CF Femenino back in front right after the restart.

The opposition went all-out in attack committing players forward while Valencia CF Femenino were happy to sit off and counter. Thus Candela came tantalisingly close to making it 3-1 on 67 minutes, alas her low drive crept wide of the underside of the right-hand post.

Esther grabbed her brace against the run of play following a corner kick delivery to make it two apiece to Levante UD Femenino on 73 minutes.

The game opened up after the opposition’s equaliser with both sides searching for the Teika derby winner. Esther crashed her effort against the crossbar on 80 minutes. The ball rolled from end to end with both sides breaking into each other’s area with ease.

Valencia CF Feminino were being well-positioned in defence while the visitors were pilling more pressure and something had to give. The opposition were awarded an extra-time penalty which denied VCFF the derby win in 2021 opener through Eva Navarro.

Photo by Juan Catalán

Match Details:

 2. VCF Femenino: Enith, B. Beltrán, Pujadas, M. Jiménez, M. Ortiz (Sandra, min.66), A. Torrodà, M. Carro, Candela, Asun (Salmi, min.74), Alejandra (Bonsegundo, min.57), Jansen (Aguado, min.74).

Substitutes: Pallás, Salmi, Sandra, Bonsegundo, Herrero, Aguado.

Head Coach: José López Bargues.

3. LUD Femenino: María, M. Méndez, Rocío, Toletti, Irene G., Andonova (Banini, min.69), Zornoza, Jucinara, Alharilla, Eva Navarro, Esther.

Substitutes: Paraluta, Lucía, Banini, Paula, Cometti, Silvia, Okene, Fiamma.

Head Coach: María Pry.

Goals: 1-0 (Jansen, min.17); 1-1 (Esther, min.20); 2-1 (Jansen, min.46); 2-2 (Esther, min.73); 2-3 (Esther, min.93).

Referee:Ylenia Sánchez.

Bookings:

Observations: Matchday 14 in Primera Iberdrola 2020-2021 held at the Antonio Puchades.