Brighton women don book their place for Wembley after dem beat Liverpool 3-2 for Women's FA Cup semi-final. Na dramatic comeback from two goals down. Substitute Nadine Noordam score winner for 95th minute. She tell BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘I still can’t believe am. E feel like dream. We dey go Wembley. If I talk am loud, e sound crazy.’
Liverpool start well. Denise O’Sullivan score for 11th minute from Ceri Holland cross. Beata Olsson add second for 22nd minute. But Brighton no give up. Manuela Vanegas reduce deficit 105 seconds after Olsson goal. Madison Haley equalise for second half with header from Kiko Seike cross.
As extra time dey near, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie make crucial saves to deny Aurelie Csillag and Cornelia Kapocs. Then for fifth minute of added time, Brighton get free kick near Liverpool box. After clearance, ball drop for Noordam wey just come in as substitute. She calmly slot am for top-left corner. Na her first goal for Brighton. Fara Williams, ex-England midfielder, say for TNT Sports: ‘What a moment from Nadine Noordam. Brighton start slow but dem manage to fight back. Na credit to dem. Dem believe for wetin dem dey do.’
Manager Dario Vidosic say he feel the goal dey come. He tell BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘I no even think about extra time, even though e close. Na the momentum, how we dey dominate, make the goal come.’ Brighton go face Manchester City for final on 31 May. City also come from 2-0 down to beat Chelsea 3-2 after extra time for their semi-final. Khadija Shaw score two goals for City, including equaliser for added time and winner for extra time.
Brighton dey flourish this season. Dem dey on seven-game unbeaten run. Dem fit finish WSL with 29 points, their highest tally. Club also announce plans for Europe first purpose-built women’s football stadium. E go cost between £75m and £85m, hold 10,000 capacity, and dey adjacent to Amex Stadium. Zoe Johnson, managing director of women and girls’ football, tell BBC Sport: ‘We hope this na just start for England and Europe. We want learn from clubs for America and do better for female athletes.’
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