West Ham United 0-1 Paris Saint-Germain
Perth International Football Cup, HBF Park, Thursday 29 August 2024, 6.15pm AWST
West Ham United women’s team battled well but were ultimately beaten 1-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in their opening match of the Perth International Football Cup at HBF Park.
It was the first time that West Ham fans had the opportunity to see summer signings Kinga Szemik and Camila Sáez in action, as well as the returning Shelina Zadorsky, who made her loan move from Tottenham Hotspur permanent ten days ago.
PSG, designated as the away team for this match in Western Australia, started the stronger of the two teams, controlling the play as they sought to create the first opportunity.
The side from France opened up their first chance on nine minutes, with Szemik rushing out to smartly deny Romée Leuchter from close range. Manssita Traoré was next to try her luck around ten minutes later, but her effort from the left ended up well wide of the target.
The pressure eventually told on 23 minutes, as Leuchter made no mistake when presented with her second opportunity of the match. The forward beat the Hammers’ high line and fired a powerful shot beyond Szemik and into the net.
Viviane Asseyi worked in the Irons' first chance of the contest. After picking up the ball from outside the area, the France international arrowed a shot just over Mary Earps’ crossbar.
Dagný Brynjarsdóttir made her long-awaited return in Claret and Blue as she replaced Kristie Mewis midway through the first half. The midfielder was making her first appearance since May 2023 after giving birth to her son Andreas earlier this year.
Skinner’s side continued to grow into the contest and should have levelled around five minutes before half-time. Zadorsky found Asseyi with a brilliant ball into the box, but the forward couldn’t angle her effort on target.
In the second half, chances were at a premium as both sides looked to get in behind one another. Szemik had to be alert to deny Traoré again as she managed to hold on to an effort from the left-hand side.
PSG were inches away from doubling their lead on 70 minutes when substitute Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Eden Le Guilly combined well to set up Landryna Lushimba Bilombi for a shot at goal, but her effort crashed off the woodwork and away.
Asseyi went for the acrobatic as the Hammers battled for a leveller, but they were unable to force one and will now take on Leicester City in Sunday's Perth International Football Cup third-place play-off.
West Ham United: Szemik (M. Walsh 62), Denton (Tysiak 72), Cooke, Sáez, Zadorsky, Smith, Gorry © (Bergman Lundin 81), Mewis (Brynjarsdóttir 36), Harries (Houssein 81), Ueki (Doe 62), Asseyi
Sub not used: S. Walsh (GK)
Booked: Houssein 90+4
Paris Saint-Germain: Earps, Samoura (Katoto 62), Dudek © (Gaetino 46), Echegini (Geyoro 62), Leuchter (Mokthar Jamai 81), Elimbi Gilbert (Karchaoui 62), Ebayilin (Lushimba Bilombi 81), J. Le Guilly (E. Le Guilly 62), Mbock Bathy, Traoré (De Almeida 62), Fazer (Albert 75)
Subs not used: Kiedrzynek (GK), Toussaint (GK)
Goal: Leuchter 23
