UNA Strassen 0 Dundee United 1 (0-2 agg): Iurie Iovu's thumping effort keeps European dream alive for Jim Goodwin's men
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FORTY-ONE years ago Dundee United beat Rapid Vienna to reach the European Cup semi-finals.
If, as expected. Rapid get through, United will head to the Austrian capital next week for a rematch with a Conference League play-off clash at stake.
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Dundee United players celebrate winner in Luxembourg
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
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Iovu powered home a header at the back post
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Iurie Iovu's 64th minute header settled the nerves of the 1,000 Arabs fans in the stands in Luxembourg last night.
Until then Jim Goodwin's newlook side - 1-0 winners in the first leg - never looked completely assured of a passage into the third qualifying round.
Rangers and Aberdeen had suffered shocks in the country before but United escaped unscathed.
Incredibly it was their first Euro victory since the 17-0 aggregate win over Andorran minnows Principat back in 1997.
It often wasn't a thing of beauty as they were pushed all the way by a Strassen side that finished second in their league last term but still have never scored in Europe.
While stopper Iovu grabbed the headlines, this victory was about Craig Sibbald's display.
He'd sat things out last week as Goodwin named United's first ever starting line-up without a Scot.
But he showed just how important he will be this season with a dominant display.
The ex-Falkirk midfielder battled away tirelessly and was often the man breaking up Strassen attacks and teeing up dangerous moments for United.
One thing is for sure though - United will have to raise their game at the Allianz Stadion for the first leg.
Jim Goodwin on THAT Darvel defeat, Aberdeen axe and rebuilding his career at Dundee United
On Thursday, they often looked like what they are - a side still getting to know one another after 11 new arrivals in the summer.
The clash was played 30 miles from Strassen's home ground at the 3,500-capacity Stade Municipal de la Ville in Differdange.
United sold out their allocation and their fans made it feel more like a home game.
Iovu might have opened the scoring earlier than he did after being picked out by Kristijan Trapanovski's corner just three minutes in.
The unmarked Moldovan should have done better than head over from inside the box.
It soon became apparent United wouldn't have it their own way as much like the first leg Strassen looked dangerous on the attack against United's high line.
After Trapanovski was booked in the fifth minute Zachary Hadji drilled straight at Yevhenii Kucherenko when the free-kick was tapped to him.
Moments later Ukraine goalie Kucherenko raced off his line to reach the ball on the edge of the area before Matheus De Souza then Daryl Myre drilled over.
Sibbald started a brilliant sweeping move that should have ended with a goal when Vicko Sevelj picked out Zac Sapsford but the Aussie - who scored the first leg winner - got his timing horribly wrong and couldn't finish.
Icelandic ref Vilhjalmur Thorarinsson was quick to flash Sibbald a yellow for booting the ball away but it didn't dim Sibbald's will to win.
More quick-thinking saw him tee up Ivan Dolcek, whose shot was well saved by Koray Ozcan.
There was a blow for United before the break when Trapanovski chased a ball towards the corner then pulled up and immediately signalled his hamstring had gone again.
After two similar injuries last season the Macedonian had talked before the game about how he'd done all he could during the summer to ensure he'd return as fit as possible.
He was replaced by Max Watters, who had been named on the bench after overcoming the knee injury he'd picked up in the first leg.
Goodwin swapped Dolcek for Isaac Pappoe but the second half started much the same as the first, with Strassen's Ricardo Delgado firing wide.
Neither side was managing to string many passes together and at times it was poor stuff.
But after Pappoe fired straight at Ozcan the on-loan Ferencvaros midfielder played a part in the goal.
He won a free-kick which saw Sapsford float a ball to the back post and Iovu did what he couldn't in the first half and nodded home.
Dundee Utd player ratings
DUNDEE UNITED: Kucherenko 6, Esselink 6, Iovu 7, Sevelj 6, Trapanovski 3 (Watters, 41 4), Camara 6, Sapsford 7 (Stirton, 78 4), Ferry 6, Sibbald 8, Dolcek 3 (Pappoe, 46 5), Keresztes 6.
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