Bayern Munich are once again proving that amassing valuable victories is the fastest way to the top of the table. Having suffered their last defeat in the Women’s Bundesliga on 25 September, the defending champions have now reached the league summit. In Denmark, Fortuna Hjorring were unable to exploit home advantage, while Melbourne City have been overhauled in Australia. FIFA.com brings you the latest news from women's club football around the globe.
Germany: Miedema fires Bayern to the top While Bayern Munich’s men surrendered their league lead after losing 1-0 to Borussia Dortmund at the weekend, their female counterparts finally reached the summit of the Women’s Bundesliga after the ninth round of matches. Although Thomas Worle’s team edged out bottom-of-the-table Borussia Monchengladbach 1-0 to rise above Turbine Potsdam in the standings, Die Torbienen did not play this weekend and so have a game in hand – as do DFB Women’s Cup holders Wolfsburg. The reigning German champions clinched their latest win thanks to a goal from the Netherlands’ Vivianne Miedema.
Elsewhere, FFC Frankfurt also beat Duisburg 1-0, with a late strike from former Duisburg player Mandy Islacker securing the Hesse side’s fourth successive win. While this lifts them to sixth in the table, they still have plenty of ground to make up to catch the top two. Freiburg currently occupy third place after winning 2-1 against USV Jena, who announced the appointment of new head coach Katja Greulich just a few days earlier. Between February 2012 and summer 2015, the 31-year-old served as first-team assistant coach to Daniel Kraus and worked with youth players at Jena’s elite football academy.
Top three: Bayern Munich (22 points), Turbine Potsdam (21), Freiburg (20)
Australia: Newcastle and Sydney lead the way Melbourne City have been displaced from the top of the Australian W-League. Newcastle Jets became league leaders with a 1-0 win over Perth Glory as American Jennifer Hoy’s 48th minute strike settled proceedings, while Sydney FC climbed to second after defeating Melbourne Victory 2-1. The hosts led through Alanna Kennedy and Remy Siemsen after less than half an hour, with Natasha Dowie grabbing a consolation goal for Victory seven minutes from time. Nevertheless, reigning champions Melbourne City – who lifted the trophy at the end of their debut season – have played one game fewer than Newcastle and Sydney and return to action next weekend.
Top three: Newcastle Jets, Sydney FC, Melbourne City (all 6)
France: As you were... Olympique Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain continue to dominate the top flight in France, with both rivals collecting another three points in the eighth round of matches. Goals from Camille Abily, Ada Hegerberg and Wendie Renard ensured a 3-0 win for Lyon against bottom team Metz, while PSG posted a resounding 6-0 victory against Bordeaux, with Sabrina Delannoy, Veronica Boquete, Ouleymata Sarr, Erika, Marie Laure Delie and Sara Palacin all finding the target for the capital city side. Excitement is already building ahead of the clash between Lyon and PSG on 18 December.
Top three: Olympique Lyon, Paris Saint-Germain (both 24), Montpellier (18)
Denmark: Home advantage spurned Fortuna Hjorring were unable to realise their dream of finishing the regular season as champions ahead of the upcoming play-off round. They faced joint-leaders Brondby in the final round of matches, with both sides unbeaten and holding an incredible 16-point advantage over their nearest rivals. Fortuna were unable to capitalise on their home advantage as they lost 2-1, with Sarah Dyrehauge firing the hosts in front before Simone Boye and Ida Karstoft turned the game in the visitors’ favour. The win means Brondby finish the regular season atop the table with 40 points, three ahead of Fortuna. Meanwhile KoldingQ, who beat Varde 5-0, Skovbakken, who defeated Ballerup-Skovlunde Fodbold (or BSF), 3-0, BSF and Vejle, who beat Odense 1-0, will join the aforementioned teams in the championship round in spring 2017.
Top three: Brondby (40), Fortuna Hjorring (37), KoldingQ (24)