League of Ireland in Europe 2019

[osarusan]

Qarabag are just better all over the pitch. Dundalk doing well to stay in it, but cannot see where a goal will come from.

[bennocelt]

Missed the goal, but otherwise Qarabag are a very good team, both wings and the Brazilian in the mid, lucky to dundalk its only the one goal against so far.

[paul_oshea]

Thats what makes it worse though that its a completely stupid goal. I'd fear for them out there though. These lads mean business, they are street smart too and very physical, could have gotten another one or two yellows, especially for late pushes and off the balls.

They are pressing and swarming DUndalk players, clearly having done their homework. Shields the only one getting change out of them, but hoban not doing too bad either. They'll do well to keep it at this score, but unless some dubious penalty or the pitch helps them out they aren't going to equalise.

[marinobohs]

Tough first half for Dundalk. Conceding so early really rattled them and they haven’t really settled yet. Still in the game/tie but need a big improvement second half.
Cmon the Town

[paul_oshea]

They deserved that. And a lovely finish from hoban.

I'm not sure if qarabag have tired or were happy to sit back and take the 0-1 or both, but DUndalk are definitely on top now and have been the last 15 minutes.

[bennocelt]

Just back in from a walk, just in time for the goal..............great stuff, come on Dundalk

[paul_oshea]

Still the first time cross isn't good enough, improve on that and the chances will come.

These lads are definitely tired.

[ger121]

Missed that putting the little lad to sleep

[paul_oshea]

Great second half performance. Three very good chances in the last 10 or so minutes to win the game. That last shot should have gone across the box mountney and whoever else was coming in. Shame.

Hopefully those lads tire again like they did tonight next week.

[ger121]

Dundalk had a few chances for a 2nd goal in the last few minutes. Qarabag looked tired.

[patrickccfc]

Pity one of those chances didn't go in at the end. Would've been huge to take lead over.

[osarusan]

Fair play, much better in the second half, contained Qarabag much better. Still didn't think they looked like scoring until they nicked one from a corner, but they finished really strongly and could have won it.

[joey B]

Second best for most of it but looked most likely after they scored,still nice to get over there with a draw and a slim chance to qualify...

[paul_oshea]

Perth showed his ability to change things up as well. He held massey and gannon back, massey especially second half so made that ru(o)mero ineffective. Almera or Nissan or Almedia whatever he is called really tired and shields dominated. 3 or 4 of those lads are Azerbaijani internationals too. If they tire again like this then I really think Dundalk can go through to the next round. Keep it tight or level for 70 minutes then go for it. Even if it goes to ET those lads will be shagged.

[DFCForever]

We actually should have won that. Still the lads showed great character to come back after conceding so early and being under the kosh for most of the first half.

[marinobohs]

Early goal really rattled Dundalk and they struggled first half. Much better second half and well worth the equalizer. If one of those late chances had gone in it would have given them something to hang on to out there. Still in it but a massive ask for second leg.

[CorribsideSteve]

Not sure what to say after that. Both deflating and in with a shout at the same time. Such a typical goal to concede. It's almost never a classy, well worked goal that LOI sides concede, it's these ones. Much better second half performance and deserved equalizer, but it was all too rushed looking for the winner in the end. It's not over, but Qarabag are still favorites.

[oriel]

What a game, honestly thought Qarabag would have been out of sight by HT, they were almost playing 5 a side football for periods in the first 45, dreadful goal to give away, no idea what Hoare was thinking of, to be fair he recovered well in the second half. They were def the best side to visit oriel in this era, would love to see them up against an english side, def would rate them top 6 in championship.

Second half, the classic game of two halfs, all of a sudden Dundalk clicked, Duffy got going, Murray too and Shields with possibly his best 20 mins towards the end in a Dundalk shirt, deserved equaliser and some finish too by Hoban, oriel park erupted, could have won it, but happy enough to get a result.

Its not over but still think its a bridge too far, good for confidence still, but you never know. DFC announced they'll be showing the match in the bars at the club at 6pm next Wed, that will be 9pm local time, I'll be looking forward to that, they must have a stream sorted as haven't heard EIR say they have it.

[White Horse]

Playing teams like Qarabag is almost a different sport to normal LOI games. They hunted in packs and the speed of transition to attack was lightning quick. It took the Dundalk players until the second half to adjust to the speed at which they had to play.

The first half was not helped by a midfield adjustment as a result of Benson's injury. Getting Jamie McGrath in to the centre of the park was also a big factor in Dundalk getting to grips with Qarabag. Jamie McGrath put in as good a performance as I've seen by a LOI player in Europe. On a negative note, McEleney and Duffy were poor and struggled with the pressing style of Qarabag.

However, Dundalk are still in the tie and Qarabag left Oriel Park tonight knowing that played a good footballing side with character and belief.

[Ezeikial]

The odds remain stacked against Dundalk, but if it is level going into the second half next week things could get very interesting

This team never lacked belief and they will certainly approach next weeks tie knowing that it is possible to win through to the next round