From the hallowed turf of the Emirates Stadium, the North London side Arsenal have taken the lion's share of the spoils in the first leg of their Wome...
From the hallowed turf of the Emirates Stadium, the North London side Arsenal have taken the lion's share of the spoils in the first leg of their Women. �s Champions League semi final clash against the formidable French champions Olympique Lyonnais. The final scoreline of 2. 1 suggests a contest that was far from straightforward, with the Gunners showing the resilience of a side determined to give a good account of themselves on the European stage. GoalZaza reports that the opening exchanges were cautious, with both sides feeling each other out in the early minutes. However, the match was not without its share of controversy even before a ball was kicked. One of our esteemed readers, a Mr. Gordon, raised a pertinent point via electronic mail, questioning the presence of Arsenal. �s Katie McCabe on the pitch. He argued vehemently that the Irish international should have been serving a suspension for a reported hair pull incident against Chelsea in the previous round, a misdemeanour which saw Bayern Munich. �s Kett sent off in the other semi final fixture against Barcelona. The powers that be in European football must surely take note of such inconsistencies, for in the scheme of things, these decisions can alter the trajectory of a tie. On the pitch, Arsenal were clinical when it mattered, striking twice to seize control before Lyon pulled one back to keep the tie delicately poised. The French side, known for their technical pedigree and tactical discipline, will feel aggrieved not to have taken a better result back to France. Yet, for the home fans, there is a quiet confidence that the second leg will present an opportunity to finish the job. At the end of the day, a one goal lead is a slender advantage, but it is an advantage nonetheless for the English champions. The match had all the hallmarks of a high stakes European night, with tackles flying in and tempers occasionally flaring. The Nigerian international contingent will have been watching closely, as both sides boast players of global repute. While no Super Eagles stars were on the pitch here, the spirit of the game remains one that unites football lovers from Lagos to London. For the viewing centres in Surulere and the trendy spots in Victoria Island, the tension would have been palpable. As the final whistle blew at the Emirates, one could picture the collective roar in places like the Goat Lounge in Ikeja, where supporters clad in Arsenal jerseys would have been jumping in unison, spilling their drinks in sheer ecstasy, while the Lyon faithful among them shook their heads in quiet disappointment, already planning their return leg prayers. It is the beautiful game in its most raw and engaging form, and for those who cherish it, there is no place like a packed viewing centre to share the joy and the agony.
