Champions League: Shamrock Rovers – SK Slovan Bratislava 2: 1

Shamrock Rovers – SK Slovan Bratislava 2: 1 (1: 0)

Goals: 16. Burke (z 11 m), 64. Towell – 73. Weiss

Judges: Zebec – Durak, Pušic (all Chorv.), ŽK: Mandroiu, O´Neill, Towell – Henty, Kashia, De Kamps, 2500 spectators

/ first match 0: 2, to the 2nd preliminary round transferred to ŠK Slovan Bratislava/

Assemblies and rotations:

Shamrock: Mannus – O´Brien (82. Hoare), Lopes, Grace – Finn, Towell (84. Greene), O´Neill (72. Watts), Mandroiu, Scales – Burke, Gaffney

Slovan: Chovan – Medvedev, Kashia, Bozikov, De Marco – Hrncar (59. Cavric), Kankava, De Kamps (90. Abena), Ratao (83. Zmrhal) – Weiss (90. + 1 Mustafic) – Henty (59. Rabiu)

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The first opportunity was in the 5th minute by Slovan, Henty, after a solo escape with a cross shot from the penalty area, missed the left post of Shamrock’s goal. The home team opened the score after a quarter of an hour. Božikov illegally stopped the penetrating Burke in his own penalty area and turned the fouled ordered eleven with an overview – 1: 0. The guests were able to equalize after the long-range shot of De Kamps, which Mannus struck out in front of him and immediately afterwards did not allow Hrnčár to score from the shot. Slovan had more of the game in the first half, but the home team defended tenaciously and did not let him put under more pressure. After 42 minutes Mannusa could have reduced the lead with a blistering strike from the left wing, had it not been for an excellent block by the visitors’ keeper.

Slovan left the initiative to the Irish after the change of sides, and after an hour of play he lost the lead, which he had bloodied at home. Towell, who was not covered by anyone, hit the corner from behind the penalty area, Chovan was without a chance – 2: 0. Slovan could get De Marco on his feet for a moment. Kankava reluctantly made way for Kankava on the right hand side. With 73 minutes played, the visitors broke through on the right after some poor defending. After a pass from Rat, Weiss prepared a firing position in the penalty area and overcame Mannus with a shot to the post – 2: 1. The home team threw all forces into the attack. Govanney’s header was dismayed by Chovan in the 81st minute, who with his teammates also withstood the final onslaught of the opponent.