LoI in Europe 2018

[Straightstory]

Really enjoyable match in Dundalk. Very open - two decent teams.

[pineapple stu]

I hope they win. After taking a pasting in the 1st leg they could have rolled over in the 2nd but are having a right go. You got to love EL qualifying nights. You just have no idea what is going to happen in some of the matches.

Yeah, ordinarily I'd hope they win, but given that a high-scoring draw is on the cards, I'm making an exception.

6-6 is the record for a top-flight draw - held by, among others, Hibs (http://www.sportingintelligence.com/2010/05/05/motherwell-and-hibernian-equal-world-record-for-scoring-draw-060501/), coincidentally enough.

[pineapple stu]

And a good night for the Faroes in general so far - B36 Tórshavn just gone 2-1 up away to OFK Titograd, having drawn 0-0 in the first leg.

OFK Titograd were Mladost Podgorica until last year, when they changed their name to Podgorica's old name (it was named in honour of Tito). Slightly surprised to see a nod back to that era to be honest, even if Tito seemed to have been relatively popular and sane.

[Nesta99]

That Tallinn kit could be a decent Cork City one. The away goal has made things just a little nervy. Fair play to both Derry and Rovers for their efforts. A miss for Rovers who could and should have progressed. Maybe 2 wins tonight, 3 in total and with 2 clubs still with games in EL to play. Not as shabby as it was looking last week. But lets put this to bed Dundalk!!

[ger121]

And a good night for the Faroes in general so far - B36 Tórshavn just gone 2-1 up away to OFK Titograd, having drawn 0-0 in the first leg.

OFK Titograd were Mladost Podgorica until last year, when they changed their name to Podgorica's old name (it was named in honour of Tito). Slightly surprised to see a nod back to that era to be honest, even if Tito seemed to have been relatively popular and sane.

Beat me to it re B36. You just never know who can turn you over.

[pineapple stu]

Coleraine equalise at home to Spartak Subotica of Croatia - going to extra time as it stands now.

The Nordies have done quite respectably this year, Crues aside.

Edit - nope; goal ruled out apparently. But 5-4 Hibs now. Keep em coming!

[pineapple stu]

6-4 Hibs!

The weather may explain the high goals tally -

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DifjFwIXcAI8hAz.jpg:large

[ger121]

Make that 6-4 Hibs

[sparky12345678]

Coleraine equalise at home to Spartak Subotica of Croatia - going to extra time as it stands now.

*cough* Serbia *cough*

[CuanaD]

Dundalk are not having this their own way - Levadia are bossing the second half IMO :(

[pineapple stu]

*cough* Serbia *cough*
Oops! :eek:

[ger121]

Nervy stuff in Oriel. This would never have happened in Turners X

[pineapple stu]

Could easily have been a red for that tackle. Nasty lunge

[Philosophizer]

Dundalk are not having this their own way - Levadia are bossing the second half IMO :(
Bit of an exaggeration. I don't think Dundalk have ever looked under pressure in the 2nd half.

[ger121]

Done and dusted and on they march. Larnaca should be an interesting tie.

[Straightstory]

They took their foot of the gas a bit, but never looked in trouble. (The contrast between AIK's stadium in Stockholm and Oriel Park is, eh, somewhat marked).

[CorribsideSteve]

Well done Dundalk, but that second half, they were second fiddle at times. Levadia had a few half chances. Still, WHAT a goal from Duffy. Just immense, maybe best ever seen in Oriel Park?

[Partizan]

3 wins tonight.

Where does that put our coefficient?

[ger121]

3 away wins tonight.

Where does that put our coefficient?

2 wins and a draw. 0.875?

[Partizan]

2 wins and a draw. 0.875?

It's 3 wins - 2 away (Rovers & Derry) and 1 (Dundalk) at home.

[Nesta99]

They took their foot of the gas a bit, but never looked in trouble. (The contrast between AIK's stadium in Stockholm and Oriel Park is, eh, somewhat marked).

Just a bit!! The grassy bank behind the town goal isnt even grassy at the moment. I think it was a controlled performance by Dundalk, dark arts of killing time too though shows some experience of playing in Europe. Dundalk played well within themselves so can and need to step up a gear for Larnaca. Great to see Chevdukas available; Adorjan willing to to track back and runs in to the channel being cut off. Not spectacular by any means but enough to finish the job.

[pineapple stu]

This page (https://kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl/bert/uefa/data/method5/crank2019.html) will update in the next hour or so I'd say. We're almost caught up to Macedonia in 34th now.

[Charlie Darwin]

Yeah, Rovers' only counts as a draw which seems stupid as the first leg counts as the 90 minute result. Same thing with the play-off against France in 09.

[CuanaD]

We should be in 35th now:
Ireland 7.325 = 35th
Moldova 7.125
Albania 7.125
Finland 7.150
Iceland 6.625 = 39th

Realistically that's as far as we could hope to rise this year - anything else would be a huge bonus, but it's early days yet - we aren't the only ones with teams still in the next round

[Nesta99]

Well done Dundalk, but that second half, they were second fiddle at times. Levadia had a few half chances. Still, WHAT a goal from Duffy. Just immense, maybe best ever seen in Oriel Park?

It was a great goal but there are a few contenders over the years. A Peter Whitnell volley/fluke from 35/40 yards, Donal Broughan's free from inside his own half, Brian Byrne running the length of the pitch, a couple of McEleney specials in recent years, But yup it is a goal of the month contender ;p

[Partizan]

We need to get 2.000 or more this year to hold our place. It's well within our grasp.

[ger121]

It's 3 wins - 2 away (Rovers & Derry) and 1 (Dundalk) at home.

In terms of the coefficient the result after AET is the one counted. So that would have been classified as a draw. From a results perspective yes it was 3 wins after 90 minutes.

[pineapple stu]

Realistically that's as far as we could hope to rise this year
I think your maths is a bit out there? We started the day on 6.7 - two wins is 0.5 and a draw for Rovers is 0.125, so we're on 7.325? Have you given an extra win?

But even that has us only 0.3 behind Macedonia, who have only one team left. It's doable. Won't get higher than that though; Hungary got another win tonight and have three teams left.

[Real ale Madrid]

All 4 teams competitive , which is a big step in the right direction. 29th was our peak position in recent history IIRC.

[White Horse]

Well done to Derry, Rovers, and Dundalk tonight.

Badly needed boost to league after Cork's poor performance in Poland.

It shows the difference that a positive approach makes.

[micls]

Well done to Derry, Rovers, and Dundalk tonight.

Badly needed boost to league after Cork's poor performance in Poland.

It shows the difference that a positive approach makes.

Can't even enjoy your win without getting a dig in. That's a bit sad.

[CuanaD]

But even that has us only 0.3 behind Macedonia, who have only one team left. It's doable. Won't get higher than that though; Hungary got another win tonight and have three teams left.

That's right - I thought at first that a good season would at best get us up to 35th (bad season would have left us in 40th IMO) so to see 34th as a (small) possibility is great at the moment. But all those teams behind us - down as far as Bosnia - could still pass us easily before this season is finished.

I always feel that you have to get over 1.000 points before its even a half-decent season, so we are nearly there - fingers crossed!

I edited the previous post - had those placehold figures in before I rechecked them - got them up about 30 seconds before Bert updated his! :cool:

[Ezeikial]

Can't even enjoy your win without getting a dig in. That's a bit sad.

Fair play to you for calling out this apparent pettiness - can we assume that you will now be consistent on calling out Cork supporters engaging in this also?

[EatYerGreens]

Fair play to you for calling out this apparent pettiness - can we assume that you will now be consistent on calling out Cork supporters engaging in this also?

FFS - Can this pathetic spat between Dundalk and Cork fans on here just stop please ?

[shep]

I have to laugh sometimes,why on earth would any right thinking Dundalk fan..or vice versa,want Cork to do well?? No need to articulate arguments to justify it in my opinion. Just seems natural to not want them to do well. Funnily enough I was rooting for Rovers,Derry and the Northern sides,but it’s hard to break the weekly habit of hoping Cork slip up.

[Real ale Madrid]

That's right - I thought at first that a good season would at best get us up to 35th (bad season would have left us in 40th IMO) so to see 34th as a (small) possibility is great at the moment. But all those teams behind us - down as far as Bosnia - could still pass us easily before this season is finished.

I always feel that you have to get over 1.000 points before its even a half-decent season, so we are nearly there - fingers crossed!

I edited the previous post - had those placehold figures in before I rechecked them - got them up about 30 seconds before Bert updated his! :cool:

Big gap between Hungary and those above them but a step in the right direction hopefully the days of 0.250 totals are gone.

[ToberonaTornado]

Terrific match tonight played in a brilliant atmosphere at a packed Oriel Park.

Dundalk not brilliant by any means but never in danger either.Tie was in the bag once Hoban nodded home,Duffy's brilliant volley just a couple of mins later emphasising the control we had of the match.

Levadia's goal was one the Dundalk DF will want to forget and otherwise they crated sfa despite the amount of possession they had 2nd half. and Dundalk were willing to absorb that for the most part without havng to do much.Levadia were the same as last week,looked decent but had nothing past mid-field and definitely plenty of durt in them in the tackles!

Notice prices for next weeks match remain the same as league matches :cool::highfive:

[sbgawa]

Just got home, please let that AIK goal be in extra time!!

? Wow

[Nesta99]

Can't even enjoy your win without getting a dig in. That's a bit sad.

I agree! Have a quiet word with Mark McNulty about it. Its uniquely in LoI where fans tend to rally around all clubs in Europe though as the spoils of competing and progressing in Europe grow, I think those days are numbered. Its hardly a shocker that rival fans have a sideswipe now and again. Going to Dalymount to see Drogheda a decade or so ago and I found myself actually supporting them. I needed ten showers with a scrubbing brush after but it was for the benefit of the league as a whole of teams did well in Europe and rival fans banded together. I wouldnt like to see that end as each club is representing the league and country. Cork were played off the park by Legia though!!

[Nesta99]

? Wow

I meant that I hope that Rovers had 30 mins more to win the tie not that I hoped that AIK scored a 94th minute goal that put rovers out!

[WoodquayBoy]

FFS - Can this pathetic spat between Dundalk and Cork fans on here just stop please ?

Exactly. It’s gone beyond pathetic at this stage

[sbgawa]

I meant that I hope that Rovers had 30 mins more to win the tie not that I hoped that AIK scored a 94th minute goal that put rovers out!

Did think it strange :)
Such a shame greene missed the free header to win it. Was sure it was in. Delighted with the performance but we are still out either way ....gutted

[swinfordfc]

Rovers and Derry loss the ties in the first legs in both games ... We by right should have 3 team in Round 2 buts/maybe/ifs .... we don't! ... That's the push that required to push this league on ... Fair play to Dundalk for getting into Round 2 and we know Cork are lucky with the draw to be in Round 3 - we only have 0.825, that's need to get to 1.5 min this year but I don't think we get there tbh ...

[paul_oshea]

: "Nothing is easy.*We need to play better to beat Larnaca next week. They are a good team. So are we. And we never feel inferior to any team to be honest. We can look forward to that game in Dundalk next week.*
Positive mind. Positive results

Compare and Contrast with the negativity of Caufield(granted he was more positive for once this time around)

[Real ale Madrid]

: "Nothing is easy.*We need to play better to beat Larnaca next week. They are a good team. So are we. And we never feel inferior to any team to be honest. We can look forward to that game in Dundalk next week.*
Positive mind. Positive results

Compare and Contrast with the negativity of Caufield(granted he was more positive for once this time around)

Keeps repeating that - sounds like an inferiority complex to me!

In all seriousness good luck to Dundalk next week - *shudders - we lost the tie to Larnaca at home last year - get any sort of result next week and ye will have a great chance. They are decent - very cynical ( no problem to ye :) ) but not unbeatable.

[White Horse]

Rovers and Derry loss the ties in the first legs in both games ... We by right should have 3 team in Round 2 buts/maybe/ifs .... we don't! ... That's the push that required to push this league on ... Fair play to Dundalk for getting into Round 2 and we know Cork are lucky with the draw to be in Round 3 - we only have 0.825, that's need to get to 1.5 min this year but I don't think we get there tbh ...

Rovers paid the price for excess caution in the first leg. Hopefully, this will be lesson they will learn from. It's hard to comment about Derry, they are such a mercurial side. One game they excellent and in the next they are shocking. Looking at it from a distance, I can't help thinking that the fiasco over ticket prices detracted from the first leg.

Both Rovers and Derry are equipped to play European football, they have good passers of the ball in their sides and have pace. However, their managers need to be brave and let them play. Last night they did that, and both teams achieved excellent performances and results.

[EAFC_rdfl]

Brian Gartland is playing tonight. I presume you will revert to type at the first opportunity.

Maybe a dedicated thread for the annual visit is called for...

[oriel]

That was a very different Levadia display last night v the first leg, they literally tore into Dundalk for the first 20 mins, then again why wouldn’t they, it was only 0-1 on agg.

I honestly thought we made very hard work of the match, and conceded lots of the ball in MF and that’s something we haven’t seen much at home in a long time. Levadia worked very hard, but often their final ball was very poor, on numerous occasions a stray pass just ran out of play. Dundalk got to grips with the MF in the second half and Shields put in probably his hardest working shift of his Dundalk career. As for the goals, two quick fire efforts in 2 mins killed the game really, and one of the best I have ever seen at home, from Duffy, most will have seen it by now, RTE uploaded it. A decent header too from Hoban before this to get things off and running. For their goal, I thought it was very sloppy by Dundalk and a poor tackle by Gartland who got booked after the goal for the challenge, that was disappointing to concede like that, and we will need to raise it a fair old notch for Larnaca.

Still lots to be positive for, into Round 2 and any win in Europe is very tough and winning home and away is still rare, only the second time Dundalk have done this I think, Cork did it last year too, but these are not common occurrences for Irish sides.

Well done Derry and Rovers, for me Derry was the result of the night, that’s a decent side too in Minsk, and Stockholm are top of their own league also, just a pity about the home legs.

[EatYerGreens]

Did think it strange :)
Such a shame greene missed the free header to win it. Was sure it was in. Delighted with the performance but we are still out either way ....gutted

Greene's miss summed up for me the tiny margins at play in European football.

There have now been countless occasions when LOI teams missed out on glory by the width of a post, or a single refereree's decision, or a single missed penalty etc. You need a lot of luck for those things to go your way, but I can't think of many times when Irish teams successfully got through a round thanks to similar marginal events going their way.

In short - if we can develop the confidence, quality or whatever that's needed to become like the lucky/jammy sides we often face when it comes to European football, then results could really improve rapidly. The difference between success and failure is often just a tiny margin at that level it seems.

[punkrocket]

Coleraine had a right go at Spartak Subboteo tonight.
First half they gave them a bit too much respect but when they got stuck in after the break only a great goal keeping performance saved Spartak.
Same story as last week really with an injury time concession and the first goal was just sleepy defending. I don't know how they would have faired if they'd gone to extra time though as the Spartak players looked a lot fitter. Apart from the Japanese midfielder and the guy on the right wing who both were lovely players Coleraine matched and out muscled them especially second half. Fussy refereeing though, must have been paying close attention to the World Cup with the slightest contact in the box getting penalised.
Oran Kearney had a nice tan too.