And they nearly do it again ! Lucky there.
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And they nearly do it again ! Lucky there.
Big difference compared to the previous game. I had said a key factor was which team had learnt more from the 4-3, and I think it's clear Rapid have. They've improved a lot.
Rogers maybe could have had better footwork for the first - I think there was time for a step or two to the right - but it was a great strike and the bigger issue was the amount of space he was given. Second goal then you had three Dundalk defenders in the six-yard box, yet the Rapid player was still allowed a free header.
The worry now for Dundalk is that, like the first EL campaign, the three teams will have learnt about Dundalk and won't underestimate them again, while Dundalk simply don't have another level to lift themselves to.
Totally outclassed at the moment,tactically Dundalk have this horrible wrong,poor decision leaving mountney,murray,garthland on bench.Wide open in midfield where Shields fighting a lone battle as colivic,gannon,domigan cant defend at this level .
What a waste. Surprised he took thre penalty too.
Oh that penalty effort was shocking. Thought he should have done better with the header just before it too.
Four penalties now for Dundalk against Rapid. Mad stuff. Pity about the third goal. 2-1 and it could have been game on.
Oduwa is a liability in every sense. Id end up killing him if he played with me
Poxing footybite stream has crashed (or more accurately, it's stuck on a loop of a really annoying ad), so back to text updates I guess.
Looks like it's better for Dundalk this half, but Rapid's defensive weaknesses must still be there to have given away another two penalties.
Dundalk much better in this half. They're controling the game now and putting in a lot of v good deliveries. Looking dangerous and could easily have scored more. Fair play to them for lifting it.
Sean Gannon is a player reborn tonight! Now has he had his contract renewed or playing to turn heads. Definitely more like himself. Did go more like a back 4 sp maybe suits him better. Another furstrating night with the usual and often mentioned sloppy stuff, gifting chances. 2nd half the shackles are off and a much better showing. At least when chasing the game gaps at the back happen. Peno miss was criminal, arrogant and showboating stuff from Oduwa (free header missed too). He really has so much to learn and could be a top player, as much for the way he faded after the miss until the 2nd peno. Fats just totallly ignored Odwua when he was looking for the ball again. It shows some character to want to step up again but the way McEleney looked to the bench before handing the ball to Shields was a bit strange. Nice move and lay off for Kelly bar putting in row Z. Some good pressure applied at times but a lack of composure with a final ball - compared to the clinical punishing of mistakes by Vienna.
Chalk it down as a learning curve, different starting line up, and that Vienna are not really a major cut above. Composure, concentration, efficiency, and that elusive element for Irish sides currently clinical finishing of chances.
Oduwa had a lot of energy about him, gets into good positions and can take players on - really good in some ways, but yeah, not good in those crucial moments.
Vienna were much better in the first half and it looked like they had the job done. They eased off in the 2nd, a bit too much, and dundalk could have come back into it but for the penalty miss.
Ability to finish chances a major difference tonight.
Oh. I found a link to some website (BT Sport I thought it was?) where it said I could buy a ticket for the match or something.
Ah well. Not mad worried I guess.
Yup, absolutely. Things is that the defensive lapses/goals were preventable. An ongoing LoI saga that Ive worn out commenting on - self destruct after looking like sides are going to compete. Its more than just quality, its a psychological issue imo. The more pleyers are afraid of a gaffe it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. Its a bit different in attack where there is more need to be a higher quality player. Too many times have crucial and practically sitters missed. Woud Hoban have made a difference? He would have made a bigger nuisance of himself getting on the end of crosses for sure but at this level? Ye need the McEleney's stroking them in to the top corner. Gutsy tonight, maybe expectations are unreasonable, but the errors are not due to a lacking in player quality imo.
Better second half from Dundalk,albeit helped with Rapid starting the half by trying to consolidate their lead and not being overly ambitious.Created a few decent chances mainly through Mceleney passing and maybe the pen miss would have changed things but you,d always feel Rapid had that extra bit to pull away.
That's fair too. I dont think that RV were comfortable for decent Dundalk spells or had that extra gear really. They are average in defence, ruthless when given a chance but a bit brittle. If 2-1 or 3-2 going in to the last quarter ye'd never know. They will be found out in the knockouts !