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Japan Times
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Japan Times
Wuhan edges Melbourne to win inaugural AFC Women's Champions League
China's Wuhan Jiangda beat Melbourne City 5-4 on penalties on Saturday to lift the first-ever Asian Football Confederation Women's Champions League trophy before an emotional home crowd. The Australian side was poised to win until Wang Shuang converted a penalty for the five-time Chinese Super League champion in the eighth minute of added time and forced extra time. Neither side was able to score in extra time so the final went down to the dreaded shootout. "This path was very difficult, and we are very happy to win this championship," said 31-year-old Wuhan goalkeeper Chen Chen. "We also made a piece of history for Wuhan." A tight first half offered up few chances, with former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Wang coming close to breaking the deadlock. Her goalbound shot was smartly saved by Spanish international goalkeeper Malena Mieres seconds before the halftime whistle. City's semifinal heroine Shelby McMahon broke the deadlock with a header in the 76th minute to put the visitors 1-0 up. The 17-year-old's goal seemed to energize coach Michael Matricciani's team, with Bryleeh Henry finding the back of the net — only for that to be ruled out for a foul, handing the hosts a lifeline. Wang finally beat Mieres in the eighth minute of added time, converting a penalty, sending the 18,000 home fans into a frenzy and offering them hope of even better to come. Chen's back-to-back saves from City captain Rebekah Stott and forward Henry delivered just that as Wuhan completed a remarkable comeback.
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Wuhan edge Melbourne to win inaugural AFC Women's Champions League
WUHAN: Wuhan Jiangda beat Melbourne City 5-4 on penalties on Saturday to lift the first-ever Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Champions League trophy before an emotional home crowd in the Chinese city of Wuhan. The Australian side were poised to win until Wang Shuang converted a penalty for the five-time Chinese Super League champions, in the eighth minute of time added on, and forced extra-time. Neither side were able to score in extra-time so the final went down to the dreaded shootout. "This path was very difficult, and we are very happy to win this championship," said 31-year-old Wuhan goalkeeper Chen Chen. "We also made a piece of history for Wuhan." A tight first-half offered up few chances, with former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Wang going close to breaking the deadlock. Her goalbound shot was smartly saved by Spanish international goalkeeper Malena Mieres seconds before the halftime whistle. City's semi-final heroine Shelby McMahon broke the deadlock with a header in the 76th minute to put the visitors 1-0 up. The 17-year-old's goal seemed to energise coach Michael Matricciani's team, with Bryleeh Henry finding the back of the net – only for that to be ruled out for a foul, handing the hosts a lifeline. Wang finally beat Mieres in the eighth minute of time added on, converting a penalty, sending the 18,000 home fans wild and offering them hope of even better to come.
The Advertiser
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
City fall short of $2m trophy in drama-filled final
Melbourne City have suffered a heartbreaking and drama-filled defeat to Wuhan Jiangda on penalties to fall short in the Women's Asian Champions League final. With scores locked at 1-1 after a chaotic 90 minutes and extra-time, City skipper Rebekah Stott had the chance to seal victory at 4-4 in the penalty shootout, in front of a hostile crowd at the Wuhan Sports Center Stadium. Instead, she shot tamely straight at Wuhan goalkeeper Chen Chen. Zhao Yuxin put Wuhan in front and Chen saved Bryleeh Henry's penalty to seal a remarkable shootout victory 5-4. The defeat costs City $2 million in prize money, and players had been in line to receive around $47,000 each. Instead the players each claim around $23,000 as runners up, with the club's prize money approximately $1.25 million. "It's gutting to lose like that," Stott said. "I think we played well. We dominated the game. We should have come away with the win, but football is like that sometimes. "It's disappointing. We're gutted." City had high hopes of a treble after claiming the A-League Women premiership in an unbeaten regular season, but lost to Central Coast in the semi-finals, then came up short on Saturday night. They have qualified for next season's Champions League through winning the premiership. "It's been unbelievable to be able to compete in this," Stott said. "We've loved every minute of it. "Obviously it hurts now, but to be a part of this competition has been so game changing for us and for women's football it's really important." City were unable to crack open Wuhan in the opening 45 minutes, though Malena Mieres made an incredible fingertip save to deny Wang Shuang a cracking long range goal with the final kick of the half. Three days after scoring a 94th-minute semi-final winner over Incheon Red Angels, 17-year-old Shelby McMahon's headed home a wonderful free kick from Leticia McKenna in the 76th minute to put City in front. Henry thought she'd made it 2-0 in injury time but the goal was chalked off via VAR for a foul she had committed in the build-up. From the subsequent free kick, Mariana Speckmaier was penalised for handball - after a header ricocheted into her arm - via a VAR review and Wang Shuang equalised from the spot in the 98th minute. City had two late chances to win the game in extra-time, while Stott was lucky not to be penalised for a handball in the 103rd minute. McKenna dragged a shot wide in the 116th minute while Leah Davidson was unable to meet Mariana Speckmaier's wonderful squaring ball in the 121st minute and the game went to spot kicks. "Once it went into extra-time, it got quite hectic, and not a lot of football was played," Stott said. "I think we still could have got a goal. But it wasn't meant to be." The brilliant Mieres' save from Song Duan at 3-3 put City in charge of the shootout, but they could not seal the deal. Melbourne City have suffered a heartbreaking and drama-filled defeat to Wuhan Jiangda on penalties to fall short in the Women's Asian Champions League final. With scores locked at 1-1 after a chaotic 90 minutes and extra-time, City skipper Rebekah Stott had the chance to seal victory at 4-4 in the penalty shootout, in front of a hostile crowd at the Wuhan Sports Center Stadium. Instead, she shot tamely straight at Wuhan goalkeeper Chen Chen. Zhao Yuxin put Wuhan in front and Chen saved Bryleeh Henry's penalty to seal a remarkable shootout victory 5-4. The defeat costs City $2 million in prize money, and players had been in line to receive around $47,000 each. Instead the players each claim around $23,000 as runners up, with the club's prize money approximately $1.25 million. "It's gutting to lose like that," Stott said. "I think we played well. We dominated the game. We should have come away with the win, but football is like that sometimes. "It's disappointing. We're gutted." City had high hopes of a treble after claiming the A-League Women premiership in an unbeaten regular season, but lost to Central Coast in the semi-finals, then came up short on Saturday night. They have qualified for next season's Champions League through winning the premiership. "It's been unbelievable to be able to compete in this," Stott said. "We've loved every minute of it. "Obviously it hurts now, but to be a part of this competition has been so game changing for us and for women's football it's really important." City were unable to crack open Wuhan in the opening 45 minutes, though Malena Mieres made an incredible fingertip save to deny Wang Shuang a cracking long range goal with the final kick of the half. Three days after scoring a 94th-minute semi-final winner over Incheon Red Angels, 17-year-old Shelby McMahon's headed home a wonderful free kick from Leticia McKenna in the 76th minute to put City in front. Henry thought she'd made it 2-0 in injury time but the goal was chalked off via VAR for a foul she had committed in the build-up. From the subsequent free kick, Mariana Speckmaier was penalised for handball - after a header ricocheted into her arm - via a VAR review and Wang Shuang equalised from the spot in the 98th minute. City had two late chances to win the game in extra-time, while Stott was lucky not to be penalised for a handball in the 103rd minute. McKenna dragged a shot wide in the 116th minute while Leah Davidson was unable to meet Mariana Speckmaier's wonderful squaring ball in the 121st minute and the game went to spot kicks. "Once it went into extra-time, it got quite hectic, and not a lot of football was played," Stott said. "I think we still could have got a goal. But it wasn't meant to be." The brilliant Mieres' save from Song Duan at 3-3 put City in charge of the shootout, but they could not seal the deal. Melbourne City have suffered a heartbreaking and drama-filled defeat to Wuhan Jiangda on penalties to fall short in the Women's Asian Champions League final. With scores locked at 1-1 after a chaotic 90 minutes and extra-time, City skipper Rebekah Stott had the chance to seal victory at 4-4 in the penalty shootout, in front of a hostile crowd at the Wuhan Sports Center Stadium. Instead, she shot tamely straight at Wuhan goalkeeper Chen Chen. Zhao Yuxin put Wuhan in front and Chen saved Bryleeh Henry's penalty to seal a remarkable shootout victory 5-4. The defeat costs City $2 million in prize money, and players had been in line to receive around $47,000 each. Instead the players each claim around $23,000 as runners up, with the club's prize money approximately $1.25 million. "It's gutting to lose like that," Stott said. "I think we played well. We dominated the game. We should have come away with the win, but football is like that sometimes. "It's disappointing. We're gutted." City had high hopes of a treble after claiming the A-League Women premiership in an unbeaten regular season, but lost to Central Coast in the semi-finals, then came up short on Saturday night. They have qualified for next season's Champions League through winning the premiership. "It's been unbelievable to be able to compete in this," Stott said. "We've loved every minute of it. "Obviously it hurts now, but to be a part of this competition has been so game changing for us and for women's football it's really important." City were unable to crack open Wuhan in the opening 45 minutes, though Malena Mieres made an incredible fingertip save to deny Wang Shuang a cracking long range goal with the final kick of the half. Three days after scoring a 94th-minute semi-final winner over Incheon Red Angels, 17-year-old Shelby McMahon's headed home a wonderful free kick from Leticia McKenna in the 76th minute to put City in front. Henry thought she'd made it 2-0 in injury time but the goal was chalked off via VAR for a foul she had committed in the build-up. From the subsequent free kick, Mariana Speckmaier was penalised for handball - after a header ricocheted into her arm - via a VAR review and Wang Shuang equalised from the spot in the 98th minute. City had two late chances to win the game in extra-time, while Stott was lucky not to be penalised for a handball in the 103rd minute. McKenna dragged a shot wide in the 116th minute while Leah Davidson was unable to meet Mariana Speckmaier's wonderful squaring ball in the 121st minute and the game went to spot kicks. "Once it went into extra-time, it got quite hectic, and not a lot of football was played," Stott said. "I think we still could have got a goal. But it wasn't meant to be." The brilliant Mieres' save from Song Duan at 3-3 put City in charge of the shootout, but they could not seal the deal.
Reuters
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Goalkeeper Chen denies Melbourne City as Wuhan win Asian title on penalties
May 24 (Reuters) - China's Wuhan Jiangdu won the inaugural Asian Women's Champions League with a 5-4 shoot-out victory over Melbourne City on Saturday as substitute goalkeeper Chen Chen made a pair of saves to claim the title after a 1-1 draw at the end of extra time. Chen denied City captain Rebekah Stott in the final round of regulation spot kicks to take the shoot-out into sudden death and then kept out Bryleeh Henry's attempt, securing the $1 million first prize for Wuhan in front of their own fans. Wuhan had needed a penalty from Wang Shuang in the eighth minute of injury time to take proceedings into extra time after a header by 17-year-old City midfielder Shelby McMahon had given the Australians the lead with 16 minutes remaining. The win makes Wuhan the first team to claim the title following the creation of the competition last year. The Asian Football Confederation had previously run a series of pilot events under the Asian Women's Club Championship banner. China international Wang had almost opened the scoring with the final kick of the first half, forcing City goalkeeper Malena Mieres to tip a dipping long-range effort over the bar. Chen, introduced as a substitute for Ding Xuan at halftime, denied McMahon four minutes after the restart when she blocked the midfielder's low strike on the run and five minutes later she kept out Henry's close-range attempt. The action switched to the opposite end and Mieres dropped to her left to push Song Duan's goal-bound effort to safety on the hour mark. With 14 minutes remaining City took the lead as McMahon moved into space eight metres from goal to meet McKenna's centre and gave Chen little hope as her well-directed header flew in to her right. But deep into injury time the Chinese were gifted the opportunity to level, with midfielder Mariana Speckmaier handling inadvertently and, after referee Asaka Koizumi pointed to the spot, Wang stepped up to score. City squandered several chances to win the game in extra time and could have taken the title in the shoot-out after Mieres saved Song's penalty in the fourth round. Stott saw her chance to win the title saved by Chen and, after Zhao Yuxin scored the first penalty in sudden death, the Chinese goalkeeper dived to her right to keep out Henry's strike to win the title.
West Australian
24-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
City fall short of $2m trophy in drama-filled final
Melbourne City have suffered a heartbreaking and drama-filled defeat to Wuhan Jiangda on penalties to fall short in the Women's Asian Champions League final. With scores locked at 1-1 after a chaotic 90 minutes and extra-time, City skipper Rebekah Stott had the chance to seal victory at 4-4 in the penalty shootout, in front of a hostile crowd at the Wuhan Sports Center Stadium. Instead, she shot tamely straight at Wuhan goalkeeper Chen Chen. Zhao Yuxin put Wuhan in front and Chen saved Bryleeh Henry's penalty to seal a remarkable shootout victory 5-4. The defeat costs City $2 million in prize money, and players had been in line to receive around $47,000 each. Instead the players each claim around $23,000 as runners up, with the club's prize money approximately $1.25 million. "It's gutting to lose like that," Stott said. "I think we played well. We dominated the game. We should have come away with the win, but football is like that sometimes. "It's disappointing. We're gutted." City had high hopes of a treble after claiming the A-League Women premiership in an unbeaten regular season, but lost to Central Coast in the semi-finals, then came up short on Saturday night. They have qualified for next season's Champions League through winning the premiership. "It's been unbelievable to be able to compete in this," Stott said. "We've loved every minute of it. "Obviously it hurts now, but to be a part of this competition has been so game changing for us and for women's football it's really important." City were unable to crack open Wuhan in the opening 45 minutes, though Malena Mieres made an incredible fingertip save to deny Wang Shuang a cracking long range goal with the final kick of the half. Three days after scoring a 94th-minute semi-final winner over Incheon Red Angels, 17-year-old Shelby McMahon's headed home a wonderful free kick from Leticia McKenna in the 76th minute to put City in front. Henry thought she'd made it 2-0 in injury time but the goal was chalked off via VAR for a foul she had committed in the build-up. From the subsequent free kick, Mariana Speckmaier was penalised for handball - after a header ricocheted into her arm - via a VAR review and Wang Shuang equalised from the spot in the 98th minute. City had two late chances to win the game in extra-time, while Stott was lucky not to be penalised for a handball in the 103rd minute. McKenna dragged a shot wide in the 116th minute while Leah Davidson was unable to meet Mariana Speckmaier's wonderful squaring ball in the 121st minute and the game went to spot kicks. "Once it went into extra-time, it got quite hectic, and not a lot of football was played," Stott said. "I think we still could have got a goal. But it wasn't meant to be." The brilliant Mieres' save from Song Duan at 3-3 put City in charge of the shootout, but they could not seal the deal.
