Since Rovers won last Tuesday, despite some very good performances, there has been 5 defeats (which could be six) Not looking like a good year for the co-efficient.
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Since Rovers won last Tuesday, despite some very good performances, there has been 5 defeats (which could be six) Not looking like a good year for the co-efficient.
No shame for UCD they did very well against a seasoned european side , the return leg will be difficult but UCD will have nothing to lose.
2-0 now to The ODD
Dundalk our only hope now. Disappointed with Rovers - but apparently referee largely to blame for first goal.
Hearty performance by UCD but you could sense they were tiring towards the end. Indeed, looks like it'll be a very disappointing year for LOI clubs in Europe overall, unless Dundalk can turn their tie around. I do think there's a decent chance of that happening, however.
West Ham being held at home by a bunch of Malteesers no one's ever heard of!
Just a shame when you see some of the other 'lesser Countries' getting results. Maybe last year was just one of those high mark peformanes in Europe and what we see this year and 2013 is the norm.
West Ham score in last minute... of course.
I know how important the coefficient is, but the manner of UCD's performance should raise a lot of spirits for any fan of Irish football in general. Their first inclination every time was to play the simple pass. It's so good to watch, yet it's not always the mo of many Irish teams (club or National) in the past.
They used the space effectively, and while they were obviously a bit toothless up top due to formation and a difference in class, midfield and defence were excellent in possession.
Really really good to see.
Dundalk streets ahead of any other club in the league at the moment. Let's hope they can do it next week.
And some were giving me a hard time about Vaduz, yet they won again tonight......Quote:
Originally Posted by ger121
Much about a mindset than anything else though.
Fingers crossed for Dundalk next week
The gap does appear to be narrowing between the 'lesser' clubs and the bigger nations in Europe. There's been far less hammerings this year. I wonder if it's down to an improvement in coaching and fitness in the smaller leagues?Quote:
Originally Posted by Straightstory
Well if it's any comfort,we may not hear from Geysir tonight. Both Icelandic sides currently losing at home.
Might also be due to the fact that the bigger leagues haven't started yet, and at this stage might not even be playing many first teamers. Would probably be a lot different in September/October with full sides out.Quote:
Originally Posted by MeathDrog
Congratulations to UCD again. I just came in for the last 5 minutes or so of the match but they seemed quite composed on the ball. They are doing themselves proud in Europe. (Now, which of their players should we commandeer ? ;)
Through Dundalk into that category as well, I totally agree with you. This has to be the template for our sides. If Cork City and Shamrock Rovers actually tried to play a bit we might have more teams left in EuropeQuote:
Originally Posted by Kingdom
Very disappointing night. Odds are a better team than us but hadn't a shot on target until the referee bought a ridiculous dive, which should have been a second yellow for the Odds player. We reacted badly to the goal and should have conceded another couple, looked miles better after Miele came on. He should have started instead of Brennan.
Hard luck on UCD, sounds like one hell of an effort from them and with a bit of luck they could have won the match.
It would be nice to see a comment from Martin O Neill on the excellent performance of Dundalk's last evening not to mind on UCD's performance. John Delaney should take notice also after his comments that the LOL was a problem child.
Don't think you're paying it much respect there either.Quote:
Originally Posted by OldNassau
Morale victories aside its still been another poor year in Europe for the league two wins from eleven ties so far.
Agreed D24 but somehow there feels as if there is some progression made. Both Dundalk and UCD played some keep ball and didnt pack defence. Cork were too defensive and having not seen the Rovers game but would expect Nutsy to set up not to concede. Pats...? there just seems to be something amiss at the moment. BATE built on a series of winning leagues it seems so maybe the up and down nature of our league is not helping that much.
I think we probably just had easier draws last year. Only Rovers had an easy draw this year - Dundalk, Cork and Pats all had the misfortune of getting strong teams in the middle of a summer season. This year was basically last year's second rounds brought forward.
Here are some more stats!
Dundalk
First ever appearance in the UEFA Champions League.
3 consecutive AWAY games in which the team has scored.
When playing the AWAY leg first, Dundalk have progressed 4 times (DOS [NED] 1968, Fram [ISL] 1981, Grevenmacher [LUX] 2010, Jeunesse Esch [LUX] 2014) and eliminated 9 times. They have only progressed once after losing the first leg (HOME or AWAY) that was to Fram [ISL] in 1981.
Dundalk have conceded at HOME in 12 consecutive European games (28 goals total) starting in 1981 against Tottenham Hotspur [ENG], before that they had conceded 3 goals in 8 matches including a run of 4 clean sheets (19-Sep-1979 -> 30-Sep-1981) in a row.
Its only the 2nd time that Dundalk have lost 2-1, the other time was also an away game against Fram [ISL] in 1981. Its the 27th that Dundalk have conceded at least 2 goals, the 15th time AWAY.
LOI v Belarus P W D L F A Total 7 1 2 4 6 10 Home 3 1 1 1 4 2
Shamrock Rovers
The last time that Shamrock Rovers won 2 consecutive European matches was June 2003 against Odra Wodzisław [POL] twice.
In their last 4 matches at HOME, they have failed to score on 3 occasions.
It is the 11th time that they have lost 2-0, the 6th time at HOME. Also the 36th time they conceded at least 2 goals in match, 16th time at HOME.
When playing the first at HOME, Shamrock Rovers have progressed 5 times (Spora Luxembourg [LUX] 1966, APOEL [CYP] 1978, Bnei Yehuda [ISR] 2010, Flora [EST] 2011, Partizan [SRB] 2011) and eliminated 13 times. They have never progessed when losing the first leg (HOME or AWAY).
LOI v Norway P W D L F A Total 16 3 2 11 12 30 Away 8 1 2 5 5 16
UCD
2nd time that UCD have lost 1-0, the other occasion was against Everton [ENG] in 1984, also an AWAY game.
Its the 1st time that UCD played an AWAY leg first, so no previous information on if they qualified for the next round. Also, the 1st time they lost the first leg.
I seem to be repeating this fact every week, but they still remain the best defence from an LOI side in Europe conceding on average 1.00 goals (7 goals in 7 games) per game. For comparsion, Finn Harps have the worst at 4.63 goals (37 goals in 8 games) per game.
LOI v Slovakia P W D L F A Total 5 0 1 4 5 10 Home 2 0 1 1 4 5
Other
LOI sides have now lost 6 consecutive games in a single season, the last time that occurred was in 2013, also happen in 2011, 2003 and a good few other times before that.
LOI sides have never lost 7 consecutive games in a single season but the last time LOI sides lost 7 consecutive games in a row was between 1994/95 and 1995/96 seasons, which was a total run of 8 consecutive games. The overall record is 10 consecutive matches between 1972/73 -> 1974/75.
LOI last 19 matches
P W D L F A TOTAL 19 4 3 12 16 33 Home 9 2 1 6 6 16 Away 10 2 2 6 10 17
Yeah.OKQuote:
Originally Posted by Nesta99
I would argue that they didnt, Cork should have got through, and it looks like Pats couldnt be bothered.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
The reality is, barring Dundalk, our league is pretty pish
In attaining his visa for travel into Belarus, the Belarusian embassy in London were more than happy to accept the same passport as perfectly valid, along with a nice €100.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nesta99
fenlon always sets up wrong for Europe and it always comes and a backfires on him. He needs to have more belief and confidence and it always seems his lack of belief filters through the team with a stupid mistake costing after a decent defensive display
If he set his teams up more like Kenny and oneill did he would have a lot better performances and probably a few better results. He is very frustrating.
Ah, here now. Geysir is the sage of truth POS only wishes he could be. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by ger121
It doesn't need to be though.Quote:
Originally Posted by bennocelt
Do Dundalk have much better players than Cork or Pats? I don't think so.
If Stephen O'Donnell can control the midfield against BATE Borisov, why can't Liam Miller do it against an Icelandic team?
If Dundalk can refuse to be intimidated and knocked off their game, why can't Pats show the same temperament.
In my opinion, the big weakness in this league is management/coaching and the willingness of fans to accept the poor football that it produces.
He was, it should be remembered, the first manager to take an Irish club into the third qualifying round of the Champions League in 2004 - he managed Shels past KR Reykjavík and Hajduk Split before not being remotely over-run by Deportivo la Coruña - but I do think there is some truth in what you say, despite my above comment! :) Fenlon has never truly convinced me as a manager who can do it without reliance on significant financial backing. His time at Derry was very much forgettable and I feel exposed a weakness.Quote:
Originally Posted by paul_oshea
What is the possibility of UCD needing to move the home tie away from Belfield? I reckon the interest from the LOI family will exceed the capacity.
While we definitely threw away a great chance there can be no argument that KR aren't a better side than Cork City right now.Quote:
Originally Posted by bennocelt
Viedoton or TNS, away first. Great draw (for BATE)
Huge incentive for Dundalk (if it wasn't before) great draw and I'd fancy them to beat either of those sides a case of first round draw being more difficult than second on paper anyway.
It's basically a bye for one of BATE or Dundalk. Videoton are brutal.
Yes, Irish clubs' record in Europe would certainly suggest that it's in the bag.Quote:
Originally Posted by paykanti
TNS only knocked Bohs out of europe a few seasons ago, Irish clubs cant approach any European tie with any amount of arrogance.Quote:
It's basically a bye for one of BATE or Dundalk. Videoton are brutal.
Dont care in a way that we lost. That was one of the most fun games Ive ever been at. The lads absolutely themselves proud, and the game isnt even over yet. Probably is, but we still have a chance. This European stuff is great craic
Vittek silenced. Still in with a chance. A trip to Krasnodar up next. Bring it on
Now has anzone seen my voice_ Or the question mark button on this Slovak keyboard_
Quote:
Originally Posted by seand
This Dundalk side aren't just any old Irish side though, bit unfair to group them in with that lot. They're in a class of their own and they've backed it up with their European performances the past two seasons.Quote:
Originally Posted by D24Saint
Tough draws for UCD and Rovers should the progress. As mentioned above UCD would be off to Russia to face Krasnodar. Rovers meanwhile will face either Elfsborg of Sweden or Randers of Denmark if they can win by 3 clear goals in Norway next week. Elfsborg were the team I wanted City to avoid most in the first round, their recent record in Europe is incredible.
Rovers could always win 5 3 and get through to Round 3; or alternatively win 2 nil away after ET and go through in penalty shoot out...............just saying!!Quote:
Originally Posted by El-Pietro