With the conclusion of the international break in September, players returned to their clubs as leagues around Europe resumed their regular programming. Last Sunday, October 1, three Filipinas in Angie Beard, Katrina Guillou, and Jessica Miclat made the Starting XI for their respective teams in Sweden.
Katrina Guillou and Piteå IF
Fresh off international game time with the Philippines at the Asian Games, Guillou had to depart the team early and return to Sweden to fulfill her club duties. She played nearly 80 minutes for the Damallsvenskan side but was substituted after picking up a yellow card.
Close to half-time, Guillou pounced on a loose back-pass between KIF Örebro’s defenders and crossed to teammate Anam Imo, who was through on goal but could not beat the opposing keeper one-on-one. The Filipinas forward again came close to creating the opening goal at the 70’ mark, as she chased a pass down the right flank. Cutting inside, her left-footed shot unfortunately sailed just inches wide of the far post.
It was heartbreak in the end for Piteå, though, as Ida Björnberg came up with a late winner for Örebro. At the end of regulation, Piteå’s backline was pressing high, when a well-placed overhead ball from Emilia Pelgander beat the defenders and allowed Björnberg to finish coolly. The result was no doubt a disappointing one for Piteå as, prior to the match, KIF Örebro only had five wins in 20 games and were sitting near the bottom of the table.
Angie Beard and Linköping FC
Meanwhile, Beard and her new team Linköping also suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of Vittsjö GIK, 2-1. Beard helped out in defense for nearly the full 90, giving way to teammate Nellie Karlsson in the 86th minute.
The opponents took the lead just over the half-hour mark as Nellie Person played a lovely through ball to Clara Markstedt, who burst forward rapidly and squared it for Sarah Stratigakis to finish with a tap-in. Early into the second half, Linköping got on the board through Yuka Momiki as she snuck past the opposing defenders, received a backheel pass from Cathinka Tandberg, spun and then scored. However, Beard and the team could not hold on to nab a point in the match as Statigakis again found the back of the net in the 65th minute.
After matchday 21, Linköping ranks third in the Damallsvenskan standings with 45 points, just four points behind league-leaders Hammarby. Hot on their heels is Piteå, who are holding on to a fickle one-point lead over Vittsjö GIK.
Jessica Miclat and Eskilstuna United
In the Swedish second-tier league of Elitettan, Miclat and Eskilstuna at least had a happier outcome as they edged Bollstanäs SK, 1-0. The Filipinas midfielder played the entire time, while Alexandra Benediktsson scored at the 38’ mark. Holding off the opposing side for the rest of the match, Eskilstuna went on to secure all three points. The win crucially helped widen the gap between the two sides in the middle of the standings.
A scientist by day, Erinne is unapologetically passionate about football. She covered the UAAP as a campus journalist in college. Now she continues to support the national team and local leagues, as well as Spurs’ men’s team and the women’s side of Wolfsburg and Lyon.
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