Ian Owen | CSKA is a tough draw, but we will give our all

Ian Owen knows Swansea City Ladies face a tough Champions League assignment against CSKA Moscow, but has vowed they will give their all to try and create Welsh football history.

The two-time defending Welsh Premier Women’s League champions will face the Russians in Group Six of the round one draw.

Each group is contested as a mini tournament made up of two semi-finals, a third-place play-off and a final. The winner of each mini tournament advances to round two.

Should the Swans overcome CSKA they will then face the winner of the other semi-final between Apollon Ladies – who the Swans faced last season - and FC Dinamo in the final.

And Owen is under no illusion as to how difficult a task it will be to defeat the Russian champions.

“CSKA will be tough opponents, as a seeded team they will have good players and they will be very organised,” said Swans team manager Owen.

“As we do every year, we will give our all, the aim is always to qualify for the next round and to be the first Welsh team to do that would be great.

“But we are taking one game at a time, and as I said CSKA will be formidable opposition.

“We are preparing well, and we will try our best; we are under no illusions that the competition is of the highest level so let’s see what happens.”

Swansea City Ladies captain Alicia Powe echoed Owen’s sentiments, but is looking forward to the challenge ahead.

“I am really excited to be competing in the Champions League this summer,” she said.

“We know CSKA Moscow will be tough opponents, but pre-season is underway, and the squad is preparing for the challenge ahead."