The Perth International Football Cup concluded with a thrilling encounter between European giants Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain. Gareth Taylor’s side dominated for long spells but found PSG goalkeeper Katarzyna Kiedrzynek in inspired form. The Poland international made a number of outstanding saves with Jess Park, Laura Blindkilde Brown and Bunny Shaw all denied by wonderful stops. And the French side snatched victory late in the game when Jennifer Echegini fired in a late strike from the spot after Kerstin Casparij’s challenge on Tara Elimibi-Gilbert.
City started strongly and pushed the Coupe de France feminine winners back from the opening moments testing Kiedrzynek, who started ahead of summer signing and England number one Mary Earps. The PSG captain had to be alert first to palm away a deflected strike from Park before stretching to keep out Hemp’s deep cross with Shaw ready to pounce. City’s place in the Perth International Football Cup final was secured via a penalty shootout victory over Leicester and Shaw wanted another chance from the spot when she appeared to be caught by Eva Gaetino but appeals were waved away.
Summer signing Ayaka Yamashita was the hero in that win over the Foxes and started against PSG, showing her skills on the ball to keep City’s momentum on the attack. Her opposite number Kiedrzynek was impressing for other reasons, making a string of fine saves, quickly diving at the feet of Shaw and Park before making a superb save to keep out a fierce hit from the Jamaica international. The pick of her saves came just after the half hour as she made herself big to deny Blindkilde Brown as she raced clear.
But the sides went in level at half-time although Paulina Dudek went close for the French side, just before the break when she poked an effort just wide from a corner. Both teams made a flurry of changes at the break but the tale of the match remained the same with Kiedrzynek almost single-handedly keeping her side in the game. A good early stop from Hemp was rudimentary by the Pole’s high standards but that was followed by a breathtaking stop to deny Shaw as she tried to turn in the England winger’s pullback.
Taylor used plenty of substitutes to keep his side fresh and also to protect some of his players from the surprisingly robust challenges for a preseason game. Substitute Chloe Kelly drew another save from Kiedrzynek after a good run to set her side up for a late twist. Kerstin Casparij caught Elimibi-Gilbert on the foot and this time the Australian referee had no doubts about pointing to the spot. Nigeria international Echegini, made no mistake as she stroked her penalty home sending Khiara Keating the wrong way.
The match concludes a hugely beneficial preseason tour to Australia. Taylor’s squad will fly back to Manchester later this week to continue preparations for the new Women’s Super League season. That kicks off on Sunday 22 September with a mouth-watering clash away to Arsenal.
