In the first ever FIFA Women’s Champions Cup semi final, Corinthians prevailed over NWSL side Gotham FC.
In the match which was hosted at Brentford’s Stadium in London, Gabi Zanotti scored the only goal that sent Corinthians to the inaugural final at Arsenal Stadium on Sunday.
Defeated semi finalists Gotham had qualified for the competition after winning the CONCACAF W Champions Cup last year. The New Jersey side beat Tigres UANL in that final thanks to a goal from Spanish forward Esther González. The forward will not be with the club for the competition as she is on parental leave. Gotham were also without Tierna Davidson who is still recovering from a long term injury. The Bats have been in pre-season training in Spain since January 2nd before they arrived in London on 21st January ahead of the competition.
Counted among Gotham’s numbers are USWNT legends Rose Lavelle and Emily Sonnett and each began this one. The New Jersey based side also started Lionesses star Jess Carter, who will be quite at home in West London having spent six successful years at Chelsea. She enjoyed that success alongside team-mate and Germany keeper Ann-Katrin Berger who began between the sticks.
Alongside those long established names Gotham’s array of young talent foremostly NWSL Rookie of the Year Lily Reale and key player Jaedyn Shaw. Reale and Shaw started with another young starlet Sarah Schupansky on the bench.
Their opponents Corinthians have been dominant in the past in South America. They have been Copa Libertadores Femenina champions for each of the past three years. Both sides did not finish top of their respective leagues last term but both won their respective play offs. Gotham came eighth while Corinthians came second.
Thaís Ferreira started for the South American champions after scoring the winning goal in the final of the Brazilian Serie A against Cruizero in September. Gabi Zanotti, top goal scorer in the Copa Libertadores last term started and captained the side while Brazilian legend Tamires also lined up at left back. Jhonson, who scored the winning penalty in the Copa final, started on the bench.
The Lineups
GOT: Berger; Reale, Sonnett, Carter, Bruninha; Howell, McCaskill, Lavelle, Shaw, Purce; Portilho
COR: Leticia; Gi Fernandes, Leticia Teles, Thaís Ferreira, Tamires; Aquino, Duda Sampaio, Ana Vitória, Jaqueline, Andressa; Gabi Zanotti
The Action
Gotham started quicker than their South American opponents with Reale finding space on the left side in the early moments and Lavelle looking to pull the strings. However the first meaningful effort came from Corinthians. A lovely through ball to Jaqueline from Gi Fernandes saw the Brazilian in space in behind on the right. She pulled the ball back to tricky Uruguayan winger Aquino who, bursting into the box fired an effort just wide.
Gotham hit back with an effort of their own from the edge of the box with Jaelin Howell dragging her shot wide of the post. Gi Fernandes was beginning to cause issues and her through ball found Jaqueline again in space, however her effort after cutting inside was blocked. Shortly after Corinthians had the momentum over Gotham, and it was Gi Fernandes who played Andressa into space with 20 minutes gone. Andressa’s effort was straight down the throat of Berger but it was a warning sign for the US champions.
Berger played her side into trouble moments later after selling Sonnett short with an overcooked pass. Aquino pounced and sprinted into the space behind Sonnett on the ball, she pulled it back to Gabi Zanotti who laid off Andressa sprinting into the box but another fine block denied them.
Jaeden Shaw looked to arrest the Brazilian side’s momentum as she picked up a ball outside the box but her shot went harmlessly wide of the post. Aquino was a threat on the counter attack for Corinthians and at one point even deigning to nutmeg Rose Lavelle on a swift break. Gotham remained a threat but more so in their individual talents, Midge Purce dribbled her way through the Corinthians defence with minutes remaining but her ambitious effort went harmlessly wide. As the half wore on Gotham got their foot on the ball more with Lavelle nipping in here and there to turnover possession.
After half time Gotham brought on former Crystal Palace striker Katie Stengel and defender Mandy Freeman. Juan Carlos Amorós’ side attacked with more purpose in the early moments of the second period. The best chance of the match came with that injection of purpose, Freeman, involved straight away played the ball to Purce who with an excellent touch raced away from her marker. Storming into the box she pulled the ball back to Stengel but the striker lost her balance and clipped her effort wide of the post.
Corinthians, who had a quiet start to the second half almost burst into life after Gi Fernandes intercepted a Lavelle pass. Seeing Berger off her line the Brazilian took aim from the halfway line, barely missing the post. Howell had the next effort of any meaning in this one, her stinging effort slipped wide with the deadlock remaining unbroken. Gotham were pushing for the opener as the half wore on and a Stengel header was cleared off the line. Against the run of play the Brazilian side took a shock lead and it was top scorer Gabi Zanotti who found the net expertly. After great running down the wing from Gi Fernandes an opportunity was carved. The outcome was a bouncing ball in the box which fell to Gabi Zanotti who toe poked her effort home as it slipped through the grasp of Berger.
Gotham frantically pushed for an equaliser as the minutes ticked down, balls were hurled into the box, causing chaos. And each ball cleared by a Corinthians defender into the crowd was greeted with a rapturous cheer. After Shaw fired a final effort wide, the final whistle blew and Gotham had crashed out.
Gotham FC flatter to deceive
Gotham’s first half had all the earmarks of a preseason encounter with players seemingly not quite on the same wavelength against Corinthians. Mandy Freeman and Katie Stengel helped give Gotham a foothold in the match in the second period. While Midge Purce was perhaps Gotham’s best attacking threat throughout taking on Tamires at every opportunity.
It was during Gotham’s best period in the match that they would concede the goal that would cost them dear. Ann-Katrin Berger will be left disappointed that she was unable to stop the effort and give Corinthians a famous win. It is difficult to read too much into the defeat from a Gotham perspective as a side out of season.
Corinthians make history
Not many gave Corinthians a chance coming into this match, in the first competitive match a South American champion has faced that of the North and Central Americas. Corinthians demonstrated the fallacy of that assumption, demonstrating their quality in the first 45 with Jaqueline, Andressa, Gi Fernandes and Aquino the stand out performers. Cheered on by a feverish support from the stands Corinthians sealed victory against Gotham.
It was the captain Gabi Zanotti who gave the Brazilian side their lead, continuing her prolific scoring streak for the club. Her hold up play was immense on the day as she patiently waited for her chance and she duly took it.
