Dundalk v AZ Alkmaar

[passinginterest]

Really poor start. Hopefully get it together before a second one goes in.

[nigel-harps1954]

O'Donnell has had a nightmare start in the middle of the park. Passing is all over the place. They really need to get it together soon.

Also, for a sold out game, there's a hefty amount of empty seats.

[passinginterest]

Benson looks to be the problem to me. Seems all over the place positionally and poor when the ball is at his feet. Improved a fair bit overall last 10 or so though.

[passinginterest]

And a few chances starting to come for Dundalk now. Well back in the game.

[nigel-harps1954]

All to play for, but Dundalk really need to start creating a few chances. Goalkeeper not been tested yet.

[passinginterest]

Desperately missing O'Donnell haven't got going at all second half. Will take something extra special to get this back.

[osarusan]

Dundalk never got going until the last 10 minutes.

I don't think they forced a save from the keeper all night and it could have been 3-0 in the end.

Still in with a shout though.

[JayC90]

Disappointing result for Dundalk tonight. The players looked a bit off the pace and the atmosphere in the crowd was pretty abysmal at times. All's not lost though. Contrary to eir Sport reporting that the game against Maccabi is a must-win, any draw of 1-1 or greater will send Dundalk through, assuming Zenit beat AZ. A 0-0 draw between Dundalk and Maccabi will put AZ through regardless of their own result against Zenit, while a win for either Dundalk or Maccabi will send the winner through if AZ lose to Zenit.

Here are the group standings currently, including head-to-head. Tie-breakers at the side are listed in order that they are applied:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/poguemahone85/Dundalk%20group_zpshvntjwzs.png

[Philosophizer]

As was menioned here earlier there was indeed a few empty seats in Tallaght tonight, but thats been the case at all the european matches. I have a feeling they only sell tickets for 90% of the seats or something.
And yes the atmosphere was also poorer tonight than usual. in a strange twist ive a feeling that a lot of bandwagoners (from Dundalk!!) came along tonight. Almost all tickets for the match were sold from oriel, but out of the 3 dundalk lads sitting behind me in Tallaght, 2 of them had never been to Oriel!! They didn't know anything about the team.
It was a stark contrast to the matches against BATE and Maccabi when Tallaght had a few thousand real Dundalk fans and a few thousand LOI fans from other clubs.

[Real ale Madrid]

This summer soccer rubbish is holding back our teams in Europe, the sooner we get back to winter football the better.

[geysir]

Tame tonight from Dundalk, they looked like a team after the lord mayor's ball.

[White Horse]

Poor performance from Dundalk tonight.

I don't understand why Kilduff started ahead of McMillan. It was a tactical decision apparently.

We are a much lesser side when McMillan doesn't start.

At this level, it just takes one to two off key key performances to make the difference. Tonight, Benson and McEleney were indifferent.

The group is still wide open. Next stop Israel. Where is my passport.

[ger121]

Was at the game last night and it was clear early on that they were rusty and not their usual crisp passing self. Europe is tough (ask Inter) and Dundalk are always facing teams with bigger budgets and supposedly better players. To be still in with a chance of making the last 32 with one game to go is phenomenal. I for one wouldn't be surprised if they done it. I gave up being surprised by the things Dundalk do ages ago. On a side note, hope they at the very least, get what they need from the last game to be in with an excellent chance of being seeded in QCL2 next season.

[pineapple stu]

Disappointed with a 1-0 home defeat against a decent Dutch side, featuring players with international and Premiership experience.

That's progress, I guess!

[nigel-harps1954]

In all honesty, Dundalk were really poor and AZ weren't much better. If it wasn't for Rogers, that could well have been 3-0 or 4-0. Gartland was really poor at times, he always seems to have a mistake in him. O'Donnell started poorly, injury obviously bothered him from the start. McEleney might as well have stayed at home. Kilduff over McMillan was a poor choice, lacked the energy of McMillan up front early on to hold the ball up.

There was a number of occasions where the two weeks off really showed in their general game play. Playing a friendly against Brentford under-23 side wasn't sufficient preparation for the game.

They really need a massive performance in the last game. It's going to be a huge ask.

[seand]

We were due a poor game at last. After playing 38 games in 5 days we end up with no game for 3 weeks and looked rusty and slow for it. Whatever about anything else we still need another point to greatly increase the chances of being seeded next season.

[jinxy lilywhite]

I think some folk need to take a step back and gauge who our opposition are their resources, where they are in their season.
We lost by an odd goal to a perennial top 5 Dutch side. They could of scored more but didnt and we still have a chance is qualifying.

By the some people go on you would think we were one of the favourites for the competition

[Mr A]

We need to switch back to winter football to properly prepare our teams for this stage of European competition.

[outspoken]

It was amazing to see AZ's fans and players being absolutely relieved to beat an Irish team 1-0. This dundalk team are incredible and I wouldn't rule them out at all just yet.

[vinnie]

Only problem now is, isn't it going to be bleeding roasting in Israel, the heat might effect them

[Philosophizer]

Only problem now is, isn't it going to be bleeding roasting in Israel, the heat might effect them

Not really. Top temperatures over there are in the low-mid 20s at the minute. The match will be played late in the eve so temperatures will probably be in the teens. It shouldn't affect performance - http://www.holiday-weather.com/tel_aviv/forecast/

[vinnie]

Thanks, wasn't thinking about the evening kick off :doh:

[White Horse]

Even though Tel Aviv were eventually beaten 2-0 by Zenit, I thought they looked pretty decent.

[sparky12345678]

its a pity a draw couldnt have been had at home.
because going away against a team who is also still in with a chance will be tough. The lost to Zenit so maybe confidence is low but the home game against Zenit also went quite close and they beat AZ away and got the draw at home (ie theyve beaten AZ on aggregate where Dundalk lost). they will fancy their chances as well id say.

And as has been discussed another point or two for the co-efficient could be very important come next may...

[Ezeikial]

And as has been discussed another point or two for the co-efficient could be very important come next may...

Two more points would be fantastic. What sort of result would that require?

[legendz]

It was predictable that Dundalk started sluggish and that AZ had learned lessons to snuff out their threat. It's a learning curve for Dundalk. BATE similarly had learned lessons from their first game last year. I'm hopeful Zenit will at least draw with AZ but I wouldn't be banking on it. The group stage format allows Dundalk the opportunity to learn lessons fast and regroup. Tel Aviv will do their homework as well. I'm hopeful we'll see Dundalk bang on form in a couple of weeks. If injuries in midfield clear up my prediction is Dundalk to win. Just like Ireland got their result against Italy, AZ might get their's against Zenit.

[Yossarian]

It'll be interesting to see how Zenit approach their game as it is their last game for 2 months due to the winter break in Russia. I'd imagine they're wouldn't be a need to rest any players due to that.

[EatYerGreens]

Dundalk were poor last night - awful in fact. I think they had one chance of merit on goal all game, and could have lost 3 or 4 nil if it hadn't been for Rogers.

The lack of competitive football for a few weeks was clear to see - their passing was really poor throughout the game. Really simple mistakes like passing the ball straight to the opposition.

I don't know what their plan is, but they need to land themselves a few more testing fixtures than Brentford U23s between now and the Macabbi game.

[sparky12345678]

Two more points would be fantastic. What sort of result would that require?

a draw is 1 coeff point and a win is 2. Thats why not getting a draw v Zenit or in the last game v Alkmaar is annoying. Cos a win (2 coeff points) away from home will be tough... but even a draw would be a help.

[geysir]

We need to switch back to winter football to properly prepare our teams for this stage of European competition.

Catch 22