Mana Iwabuchi netted two goals as Arsenal qualified for the UEFA Women’s Champions League Round 2 with a 3-1 victory over PSV in Moscow this evening.
The Japanese international hit a rocket into the far corner of the PSV net in the first half before adding a more scruffy effort in the second period. Dutch international forward Vivianne Miedema was also on target for Jonas Eidevall’s side at the Sapsan Arena.
It was Miedema who broke the deadlock with the very first chance of the game in the 19th minute. Some flowing football between Kim Little and Beth Mead ended with the latter playing in Miedema to poke the ball home from a few yards.
Miedema should have had her second goal soon after but she somehow fired wide at the near post before Arsenal goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger was called upon at the other end to deny efforts from both Desiree van Lunteren and Mandy van den Berg.
Arsenal would go into the break two goals to the good thanks to the brilliance of Iwabuchi. She came to meet a short corner before turning and unleashing a thumping strike which found the far corner of the PSV net, a wonderful effort worthy of a UEFA Women’s Champions League final not a Round 1 tie.
The Gunners could even have been further ahead but Mead slotted her effort wide when through on goal four minutes before the break.
PSV came out stronger for the second half and they soon found a way back into the match when a long ball found Esmee Brugts and she hooked her shot home from just inside the area.
Mead then saw a shot saved by the feet of Van Veenendaal before Arsenal claimed a third goal when a Miedema shot was blocked by the PSV keeper but Iwabuchi raced in to fire the rebound home.
Arsenal had chances to add to their lead. Miedema placed a low shot just wide of the far post at the death while her replacement Anna Patten fired over from close range. The scoreline remained 3-1 as Arsenal added their name to tomorrow’s Round 2 draw.