Rijeka v Shelbourne: Joey O'Brien's men holding Croatians scoreless in Europa League

Irish Independent

4 days ago

Live |
League of Ireland champions Shelbourne face a stern test as they go up against Croatia's Rijeka in the Europa League third qualifying round.
Ultan Corcoran brings you all the action with kick-off at 7.45pm.
53'
Another superb bit of defending from Paddy Barrett who wins the duel with Ante Juric and gets the pressure-relieving free. Similar to the first-half start, it's been a cagey exchange after the break.
2. Half
Second-half underway in Rijeka!
A couple of alterations to start this second-half as Mipo Odubeko is replaced by Daniel Kelly.
Meanwhile, Rijeka who are no strangers to big changes at the break, have made a double substitution. Ante Majstorovic and Mladen Devetak have made way for Anel Husic and Justas Lasickas.
Half-time
We have reached half-time in Rijeka!
The Spanish arbiter's whistle signals the end of what has been an interesting first-half in Croatia. Nothing to separate the teams at the interval!
All in all, Joey O'Brien and Shels will probably be happy with their work so far. They constricted Rijeka's attack until the 23rd-minute when Wessel Speel smothered Amir Gojak's effort.
Two further long-range chances fell to Ante Butic and Niko Jankovic, but Shels' 23-year-old shot-stopper was more than equal to both. Shels yet to really trouble the host's goal. The loss of Sean Boyd to injury is the only negative.
45'+3
Scoring Chance
Rijeka
Player
Niko Jankovic
SAVE! Arguably Wessel Speel's best of the evening thus far - Niko Jankovic, the Rijeka midfielder who scored 8 goals last season, tries his luck from range. The shot bounces just before Speel who pushes it around the post expertly.
45'+1
A decent chance almost materialises for Shels as John Martin puts the Rijeka rearguard under pressure. He wins the ball back but Odubeko is caught offside.
We will have 5 minutes of additional time to play before the break. Largely due to the stoppages for Majstorovic and Boyd.
43'
Scoring Chance
Rijeka
Player
Simun Butic
Butic pops up on the right flank for the first time since switching with his fellow winger Ndockyt. The 19-year-old tears past Ledwidge but blazes his shot high into the night sky. The travelling Shels fans enjoyed that one!
41'
Free Kick
Shelbourne
Shooter
Harry Wood
Jamie Norris is pulled back by the jersey on the left sideline. Harry Wood crosses deep to JJ Lunney who keeps the attack alive. Wood picks up the ball again and whips it in the direction of Odubeko - Majstorovic shows his experience by clearing the danger.
38'
Milan Mbeng wins an important free to relieve some pressure. Interestingly, Rijeka's right winger Merveil Ndockyt has switched wings with Simun Butic in the hope of getting more joy. Mbeng wins the first one-vs-one battle.
33'
Behind the goal Shels are shooting into in this first-half, a tifo has been unveiled by the Rijeka fans. Artwork displaying the city's medieval walls are erected with Croatian flags aplenty. Incredible atmosphere.
30'
Corner
Rijeka
Milan Mbeng concedes the first corner of the game and John Martin is back sticking to his defensive duties to clear Shels' lines. Rijeka back in possession around the middle third.
28'
Scoring Chance
Rijeka
Player
Simun Butic
Another fine save from Wessel! A cross from the right bounces through to the extreme left of the box. Simun Butic finds space to take a touch, cut in on his right foot and pull the trigger. It had venom - not enough to beat the Shels shot-stopper.
26'
A real shame for Shels as John Martin, JJ Lunney and Kerr McInroy link up well around the middle of the park. Play goes wide to the advancing Kameron Ledwidge, but the 24-year-old's touch is loose and the move breaks down.
23'
Scoring Chance
Rijeka
Player
Amir Gojak
SAVE! Finally we have a shot on target. Ante Orec finds more joy on the right and cuts infield to set up Amir Gojak. The Bosnian midfielder swivels and drills a low shot towards the bottom-left corner. Wessel Speel does well to smother it and hold on. A warning sign!
21'
Shels get a decent chance to launch a counterattack but Milan Mbeng puts too much on his pass for Mipo Odubeko. A lot of shadow boxing so far - no real chances to discuss yet!
19'
Substitution
Shelbourne
Substituted out
Sean Boyd
Substituted in
John Martin
A real blow for Joey O'Brien as Sean Boyd goes to ground looking for treatment on his calf. He appeared to collide with Majstorovic and pull up just as the 27-year-old chased a loose ball. His night ends prematurely - John Martin takes his place up top.
15'
Shels string a few nice passes together before Kameron Ledwidge takes a heavy touch and does just about enough to win the free after a foul from Ante Duric. Rijeka have pressed with intent thus far. Not an inch given.
11'
A sloppy pass from Mladen Devetak coughs up possession rather cheaply with a misplaced pass to give Shels some respite from defending.
A rather harsh foul is given against Sam Bone who seemed to have a bit of a coming together off the ball.
9'
Scoring Chance
Rijeka
Player
Ante Orec
Decent ball in from the right flank as full-back Ante Orec whips in a cross, but Paddy Barrett and Sam Bone did enough to shepherd it out of play for a goal-kick. Ante Juric couldn't muscle his way in to get his head on it.
7'
Both sides just feeling each other out in these opening exchanges. Rijeka have enjoyed the lion's share of possession, but off the ball it is clear that Shels are playing with a two-man strike force of Odubeko alongside Boyd.
6'
Dan McDonnell highlights the rather unusual audio that greeted viewers on SolidSport tonight:
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