Sara Monforte’s side were overcome by the Basque side at the Mini Estadi
Villarreal Women lost to Athletic Club 1-6 at the Mini Estadi in a match in which they made mistakes that cost them dearly. The team coached by Sara Monforte went into the game with confidence after two consecutive victories, first in the Finetwork Liga F and then in the Copa de la Reina.
The first few minutes were a tentative affair. Both teams were firm in defence but not very accurate in attack.
The opening goal came in the 25th minute. An unfortunate slip by Yellows captain Lara mAta allowed Pinedo to go one-on-one with Elena de Toro, with her shot ending up in the back of the net.
There was more bad luck for the Yellows with the second goal. Amezaga’s shot hit the post and the rebound hit de Toro’s back before going into the net (m.34).
The Yellows came out determined to turn the score around in the second half. Belén Martínez scored a truly spectacular goal. Villarreal’s No.7 unleashed a right-footed shot from the Edge of the box that flew into the top corner (1-2, m.52). It was game on.
Athletic Club responded just four minutes later. Another mistake in the yellow defence allowed a deadly counter-attack from the visitors to make it 1-3, scored by Oihane. This goal affected the Yellows, who conceded another goal in the 68th minute. Again Amezaga beat de Toro with a powerful shot to make it 1-4. The goal to make it 1-5 was scored by Peke with a shot from a forced position and then Nekane made it 1-6 when she finished off a cross from the right flank.
If that wasn’t enough, Paolo Soldevila was sent off for two yellow cards in the 84th minute and Villarreal Women had to play with ten women in the closing stages.
Ficha técnica:
Villarreal Women: Elena de Toro; Nerea (Claudia, m. 80), Lara Mata, I. Miguélez, F. Lara (Albeta, m. 83); Cienfu (Kanteh, m. 46), Soldevila, Ainoa, M. Llompart (Estefa, m. 72); Belén (Lucía Romero, m. 72) y Sheila.
Athletic Club Women: Quiñones; Oiane, Valdezate, Bibiane, Nerea Nevado (Eunate, m. 78); Mariana, M. Unzué (Itxaso, m. 72); Azkona (Nekane, m. 78), Pinedo (Monente, m. 78), J. Amezaga (Naroa, m. 72); Peke.
Goals: 0-1. Min. 25: Pinedo. 0-2. Min. 34: Amezaga. 1-2. Min. 52: Belén. 1-3. Min. 56: Oihane. 1-4. Min. 68: Amezaga. 1-5. Min. 73: Peke. 1-6. Min. 81: Nekane.
Referee: Luna Varo. Booked: Azkona, Naroa (Athletic Club). Sent off: Soldevila (Villarreal Women, m. 84).
Matchday information: Match corresponding to Matchday 10 of the Finetwork Liga F at the Mini Estadi at the José Manuel Llaneza Training Ground.
