They were very good and prevented us from playing. They were extremely clever and cynical. They got through that tie without breaking a sweat. Won the next round as well and made it to the playoff round. The team that beat them made it to the last 16 of the EL where they lost in extra time to Sporting. I think because they aren't a big name side people didn't give them enough credit. They had a very good, very experienced team.
That's a fair enough analysis. I do remember them being Cynical. The overriding memory was how easily they made ye run out of ideas. I would hope there were some lessons taken on board on how to outwit teams at a higher level after those ties. I am hoping that they can do well this year.
I mean at least use Hacken rather than Linfield for the comparison!
We were so proud of our performance in Genk, losing 1-0 in a game against a team several levels above us but really putting in a proper performance and in a real European stadium too I came out of the stadium absolutely beaming. Felt like maybe we'd arrived. Bolger was incredible that day, so were Buckley and Gearoid. We could even have gotten a goal or two if Beattie and Maguire had better finishes on the day.
Then less than a week later Dundalk go and tear BATE apart in an amazing second half performance completely stealing our thunder. Couldn't believe what I was seeing. Probably the most accomplished performance by any LOI side in recent memory.
Genk got a bit of a scare in the previous round needing penalties to beat a Montenegrin side. So that combined with our performance in Belgium meant they had to take us seriously.
I've mentioned in this thread I think that the Swedish sides never respect us. The approach Genk took was the antitheses to Hackens approach. We had gotten a draw in Gothenburg (and we had previously beaten Malmo and DIF) but their fans came to Cork and told us they would win by 3 or 4 goals, as they had said in Gothenburg. Their captain was interviewed on the pitch talking about how they were going to beat us fairly easily. No respect, so we beat them.
Hopefully Legia will not take us too seriously, they have had decent results in Ireland in the past, but I suspect they will be a little wary of us because of Dundalks performances against them.
Fair enough! Ive edited my post . 2015 when we played BATE they definitely underestimated and disrespected us. Another Belarus side hockyed an Irish league side (could be bothered looking it up) and they assumed the standards would be the same. It wasnt like that 2016, it was hanging in there when under pressure especially away and then the 2nd leg well even if super respected they were well beaten. Legia will be arrogant and blazé as it is their nature as a club in general. The Aviva while needed for the game I felt didnt have any of the advantages of a 'home' leg, Turner Cross will be the opposite of that. If the tie is alive after the first leg I dont think Legia manage pressure too well. Their support is incredibly fickle and would applaud opposition in irony if they are not winning 10 nil.
Shakhtyor Soligorsk beating Glenavon?
Thats them.
as we used say in 2nd class, takes one to know one..
Draw is about to start
http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague...round=2000986/
Derry and Coleraine are in Group 4. Rovers and Cliftonville in group 5. Dundalk are in Group 9 and Glenavon are in group 1. Best of luck to each team!
10 Shamrock Rovers (IRL) v 3 AIK (SWE)
10 Derry City (IRL) v 3 Dinamo Minsk (BLR)
Tough draws. Irish teams do ok in Sweden so maybe Rovers can get something from AIK but not looking great.
6 Cliftonville (NIR) v 2 Nordsjælland (DEN)
6 Glenavon (NIR) v 2 Molde (NOR)
Horror all round.
AIK is a tough match, was praying for Latvia or Iceland.
At least we don't have to go as far as Belarus..
Currently undefeated after 12 rounds in the Swedish League, although they did only win 6 .....he says optimistically
When they look at us with our current record our best hope is complacency.
Last edited by sbgawa; 20/06/2018 at 10:27 AM.
7 Levadia Tallinn (EST) v 2 Dundalk (IRL)
Nice easy draw for Dundalk. Tallinn is lovely.
Last year Levadia had to play the game in Parnu, because of a clash, which was about 2 hours away from Talinn.
Dundalk should hammer them given how much better at football they are than Cork City.
Tough draws for Shamrock Rovers and Derry but a nice one for Dundalk. Tallinn is a nice away day.
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