The lionesses unfortunate in defeat

Athletic Club Women fell to a narrow 0-1 defeat against SD Eibar on Sunday.

It was Iraia Iturregi’s first game in charge after taking over the women’s first team last Thursday.

Once again the lionesses lacked luck as they lost to an 89th minute penalty, which was converted by SD Eibar’s Sara Navarro.

Striker Yulema Corres went close to giving Athletic the perfect start. Eibar’s goalkeeper Noelia rushed out of her area to head the ball away, but Yulema’s cheeky lobbed half-volley went wide.

Athletic were fortunate not to fall behind when Eibar’s Thembi missed two chances. First she hit the post and minutes later in a very similar action she struck straight at Andrea de la Nava in Athletic’s goal.

The lionesses had two more opportunities before half-time. Full-back Eunate gave Noelia a fright with a tricky cross-shot and Naroa had a chance ruled out for offside.

Five minutes after the restart Eibar’s Sheila Elorza hit the crossbar. Afterwards Athletic picked up some momentum, using Lucía García as a fulcrum down the left flank.

In the 62nd minute, Lucía cut inside and fired off a shot with her right, but it went over the bar. Three minutes later, after a great one-two with Yulema, Lucía should have put Athletic ahead. With only the keeper to beat, Lucía struck straight at Noelia.

Eibar lost a player in the 77th minute, when Ane Pérez received a second yellow. Lucía fired the subsequent free-kick over the crossbar.

In the 82nd minute, a Lucía cross found Yulema in plenty of space inside the box, but the striker directed her header straight at Noelia.

Athletic thought they had won it five minutes later when centre-back Vanesa Gimbert outjumped her markers at a corner and launched a header at the post.

Two minutes after, it was Vanesa who fouled Thembi in the box, giving away the penalty which Sara Navarro converted.

There was no time for the Lionesses to get back into the match and Eibar went home with all three points.