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BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
United striker Sapsford facing up to four weeks out
Dundee United striker Zac Sapsford is facing up to four weeks on the sidelines after picking up an ankle injury against Rapid Vienna. The forward won his side a penalty in their Conference League defeat at Tannadice on Thursday night but strained an ankle ligament in the been replaced by Amar Fatah in the squad for Sunday's League Cup game against Kilmarnock, manager Jim Goodwin confirmed the extent of Sapsford's injury. "Fatah is in the team today because of the injury to Zac Sapsford that he picked up in the build-up to the penalty where he got wiped out," Goodwin said. "That's a major disappointment for us because he's been a real key player for us up until now."It's a strained ankle ligament injury so those types of injuries can take anything from two to four weeks. "He's a young lad, he'll heal quickly. Majorly disappointed not to have him in a really important game today."
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Jim Goodwin addresses Dundee United's Euro exit and provides Zac Sapsford injury update
Praise for players amid disappointment of shoot-out defeat Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Jim Goodwin insists Dundee United must take heart from exiting the Conference League at the third qualifying stage on penalties having at one point led Rapid Vienna by two goals on the night as well as on aggregate. However, the Austrian side gained their revenge more than 41 years after losing out on away goals to United in the last eight of the European Cup. History was also in the air as United came so close to progressing through consecutive rounds of European football for the first time since their 1987 run to the Uefa Cup final. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Two second-half goals from Rapid made it 2-2 on the night and 4-4 on aggregate and no further goals in extra-time saw penalties required to separate the sides. The Austrians scored all five of theirs while Amar Fatah, who replaced Zac Sapsford at half time of the 90 minutes, hit the post with United's first. Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin (L) and Amar Fatah (R) look dejected after losing the penalty shoot out to Rapid Vienna. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group) | SNS Group 'Being 2-0 up at half time, we never for one minute thought the tie was over,' said Goodwin. 'We respect the opposition, they are a very good side full of quality. We knew the next goal would be important. Had we got it, I think we progress. But credit to Rapid Vienna, they pinned us back for large parts of the second half. They got their goals. Another set play has cost us for the first and the second is a brilliant delivery. Right now, the main emotion is disappointment.' He was determined to draw the positives, however. 'Most people out there, when the draw was made, expected Rapid Vienna to wipe the floor with us," he said. "We can take a lot of confidence and belief from the fact we went toe to toe with a really good European team and another time, we could have possible won it.' Goodwin praised his players for not allowing their heads to go down following the loss of the two-goal lead. In fact, they had a golden opportunity to possibly win the tie in the first half of extra time but 18-year-old Owen Stirton saw his effort blocked when one-on-one with the goalkeeper, Niklas Hedl. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Look, all the players are extremely disappointed," he said. "It is not about pointing the finger at anyone. We do not have a blame culture in our group. Stirts has done great to get the opportunity in the first place; the 'keeper has done really well. He stood up for a long time, more often than not he will gamble and dive Stirts has tried to lift it over him. It is not a glaring miss. I just think he did what he felt was right at the moment and it did not hit the back of the net.'
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Jim Goodwin addresses Dundee United's Euro exit and provides Zach Sapsford injury update
Praise for players amid disappointment of shoot-out defeat Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Jim Goodwin insists Dundee United must take heart from exiting the Conference League at the third qualifying stage on penalties having at one point led Rapid Vienna by two goals on the night as well as on aggregate. However, the Austrian side gained their revenge more than 41 years after losing out on away goals to United in the last eight of the European Cup. History was also in the air as United came so close to progressing through consecutive rounds of European football for the first time since their 1987 run to the Uefa Cup final. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Two second-half goals from Rapid made it 2-2 on the night and 4-4 on aggregate and no further goals in extra-time saw penalties required to separate the sides. The Austrians scored all five of theirs while Amar Fatah, who replaced Zach Sapsford at half time of the 90 minutes, hit the post with United's first. Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin (L) and Amar Fatah (R) look dejected after losing the penalty shoot out to Rapid Vienna. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group) | SNS Group 'Being 2-0 up at half time, we never for one minute thought the tie was over,' said Goodwin. 'We respect the opposition, they are a very good side full of quality. We knew the next goal would be important. Had we got it, I think we progress. But credit to Rapid Vienna, they pinned us back for large parts of the second half. They got their goals. Another set play has cost us for the first and the second is a brilliant delivery. Right now, the main emotion is disappointment.' He was determined to draw the positives, however. 'Most people out there, when the draw was made, expected Rapid Vienna to wipe the floor with us," he said. "We can take a lot of confidence and belief from the fact we went toe to toe with a really good European team and another time, we could have possible won it.' Goodwin praised his players for not allowing their heads to go down following the loss of the two-goal lead. In fact, they had a golden opportunity to possibly win the tie in the first half of extra time but 18-year-old Owen Stirton saw his effort blocked when one-on-one with the goalkeeper, Niklas Hedl. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Look, all the players are extremely disappointed," he said. "It is not about pointing the finger at anyone. We do not have a blame culture in our group. Stirts has done great to get the opportunity in the first place; the 'keeper has done really well. He stood up for a long time, more often than not he will gamble and dive Stirts has tried to lift it over him. It is not a glaring miss. I just think he did what he felt was right at the moment and it did not hit the back of the net.'
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Dundee United and Rapid Vienna serve up cruel classic as Tannadice evokes European night of old
Shoot-out defeat ends United's Conference League dream Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Admittedly exaggerated talk of hailstones the size of golf balls rattling down on car bonnets in the Hilltown a couple of hours before kick-off meant Dundee United might have anticipated a momentous event. However, not even the most optimistic United supporter could have foreseen being two goals in front at half time against Rapid Vienna. It felt too good to be true, it was too good – eventually. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Unusual weather turned into a portent of doom. The Austrians managed 100 per cent accuracy in the penalty shootout at the end of a classic night of European football, with Bendeguiz Bolla striking the decisive kick. Amar Fatah hit the post with United's first. Dundee United players console Amar Fatah after losing the penalty shoot out to Rapid Vienna. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group) | SNS Group The hosts haven't progressed through successive rounds of European competition since 1987's march to the final of the Uefa Cup, long before any of the current side were born. The youngest, 18-year-old local lad Owen Stirton, had the chance to put United 3-2 ahead on the night in extra time but saw goalkeeper Niklas Hedl block well. Stirton was one of four Scottish youngsters introduced by Jim Goodwin in an effort to turn the tie back in United's favour. It was cruel, so very cruel. They had been back swaying in the old Shed end 26 minutes in when United took the lead in the tie for the first time courtesy of Max Watters' header and then, three minutes before half-time, the striker extended his side's advantage from the penalty spot after a VAR check had opened the possibility of the seemingly impossible happening, and United going in for the interval two goals in front. The dream was on... Beneath a magenta sky, Watters tucked the award to the right of Hedl. They were indeed now two in front and seemingly well set. While there was bedlam in the stands, half time brought the space and time for some reflection. Were United not two in front against MyPa 47 at half-time at home ten years ago before succumbing to two late goals to exit the Uefa Cup? There was still work to do. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Amar Fatah replaced Zachary Sapsford, who had been fouled for the penalty, for the second half. The next goal was all important – it went to Rapid, as did the next one. The first, from Janis Antiste, was a glancing header from a corner and the second from big No.9 Ercan Kara, sent on to help rescue things for the visitors, was an acrobatic backheeled flick into the corner from a cross from the left. The striker also had the chance to finish it at the death. As in, after 120 minutes of lung-busting action. Dundee United's Max Watters (L) celebrates with Will Ferry (C) and Krisztian Keresztes (R) after scoring from the penalty spot to make it 2-0 over Rapid Vienna. (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group) | SNS Group United took the lead with a wonderfully worked move in which Sapsford played a pivotal part. The Australian striker materialised as playmaker in the middle of the park and opened up his foot to release Will Ferry down the left. The skipper complemented the pass with a fine ball into the middle and the unmarked Watters planted a header past Hedl. Cue eruption, which included a flare landing on the pitch. United midfielder Panutche Camara had to show nimble footwork to avoid it as it lay smouldering in the box. A scorch mark remained visible for the rest of the match. Sapsford was at the heart of United's second goal as well. He embarked on a solo run and while his eventual pass was hit slightly too far in front of Watters, Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao's clumsy too footed challenge after the ball had been released saw VAR step in. The outcome was a booking for the defender and a penalty to United, which Watters, confidence brimming, took care of. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Dundee United fans celebrate after Max Watters scores to make it 1-0 over Rapid Vienna. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group) | SNS Group Only the old Shed end and the Jerry Kerr Stand remains from when Rapid Vienna last played at Tannadice in a European Cup quarter-final. Like then, they were full of United fans, as were new additions the George Fox and Eddie Thompson Stands. New stars announce themselves The team might not have been vying for a place in the last four of Europe's premier club competition, as on the last occasion they met, but it felt a lot like a European night of old. The Rapid fans contributed greatly to this and were in good voice as several hundred marched up from the city centre under the watchful eye of police. Not many would have attended in 1984, when the Rapid side featured such stars of European football as Hans Krankl and Antonin Panenka. As for United, the old heroes were foremost in many people's thoughts. A clutch of them are now club ambassadors, including Paul Hegarty and Davie Dodds, who notched the second leg winner in 1984. While no one at United will ever do what he did and fire the team into the last four of the European Cup, he watched new stars announce themselves. Watters, a 26-year-old on loan from Barnsley, won't score 150 goals for United, like Dodds did, but he now has four in three games. The way Krisztian Keresztes, meanwhile, slid in to deny Antiste an almost certain goal was like Davie Narey in his pomp. As for Kucherenko, he was a moustache away from being the Ukrainian Hamish McAlpine. Rapid Vienna's Andrija Radulovic celebrates after winning the penalty shoot out. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group) | SNS Group It's a different era and a different outlook now. Craig Sibbald was once again the lone Scot in manager Jim Goodwin's starting XI. Now a few weeks in development, the much-changed team looked a more effective unit. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But United could not relax. As well as the MyPa result, a more recent one preyed on their minds. Losing two second half goals meant they lost to Hearts on Sunday, with the visitors' winner coming in injury time.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Dundee United 2 Rapid Vienna 2 (4-4 on agg, Rapid win 5-4 on pens) It's agony for United as two-goal lead, and European dream, slips away...
Dundee United's many summer signings have been regaled with old tales of European bravado and glory days in the past fortnight. They rose to the occasion in mighty fashion with an exhausting, enthralling effort against the team joint-top of Austria's Bundesliga. Yet for all that inspiration - and perspiration - they were unable to repeat Jim McLean's terrific Terrors of 1984 whose win over Rapid paved the way to a European Cup semi-final. Elimination, cruelly, came on penalties. Amar Fatah, with the first kick of the shoot-out, was the only failure when he hit the woodwork. Hungarian side ETO Gyor lie in wait for a fine Rapid team for a place in the Europa Conference League group phase. United return to domestic duties for another season but this display points to another successful campaign and Jim Goodwin's men could well be back on this stage in 12 months. With Isaac Pappoe, who suffered a knee injury in Vienna, Ryan Strain, Ross Graham and Kristijan Trapanovski hurt, United were minus key men. They were also required to pick themselves up off the deck after being floored by a 94th-minute Hearts winner on Sunday. Yet this group, albeit flooded by new faces, have a gutsy demeanour about them. The pulsating 2-2 in Austria last week was testament to that. And, for all the talk of foreign signings, the exertions well into extra-time of Miller Thomson, Kai Fotheringham and Owen Stirton were huge for United taking the tie to spot-kicks. Rapid captain Matthias Seidl gave United a pat on the back for their first effort in his pre-match chat on Wednesday before simply stating: But we are better than them. Seidl only lasted 45 minutes as Peter Stoger's half-time changes transformed Rapid's fortunes and sparked their comeback from 2-0 down. For United, the relentless Will Ferry was superb back in the team from his domestic ban and Max Watters returned from illness with a first-half brace. Rapid had the better chances a week ago. They twice went close in the first 12 minutes. Bert Esselink nodded a feeble clearance straight to Janis Antiste who took aim early. Yevhenii Kucherenko made a nervy save to turn round the post. On the turn, Sassuolo loanee Antiste lashed against the side netting from 20 yards. Ivan Dolcek's delightful delivery produced United's first major chance. Watters did everything right to peel off his marker and, while the finish didn't convince, that marvellous movement was a signpost to the opener. Rapid were neat on the ball in picking their way through for chances. But their narrow set-up needed exposed - and skipper Ferry did just that down the left flank to send Tannadice wild. A terrific turn and touch from Zac Sapsford nursed a disguised pass to release Ferry in splendid space. He spied Watters making another smart move to escape close attention. This time the Barnsley loan man didn't need much power. Just perfect placement for his header back across goal and into the top corner. Esselink's header dropped onto roof of net as United continued to cause chaos from cross balls. A warning shot from right-back Bendeguz Bolla at the near post saw Kucherenko smartly spring left to turn round the post. The game was wide open and United took full advantage to double the lead. A superb break by Sapsford was the trigger for 2-0 as he bustled from his own half then dashed in between two defenders to catch sight of goal. He opted to square to Watters who couldn't gather the ball in. But, after releasing the pass, Sapsford was wiped out by Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao. Following a VAR check, Greek ref Tasos Sidiropoulos signalled 'penalty'. Up strode the man-on-form Watters to plant low into the corner where Niklas Hedl couldn't reach. In contrast to the clumsy work of Raux-Yao, the timing of tackles in the penalty box from United's centre backs was terrific. There were huge cheers as one such clearance from the towering Krisztian Keresztes proved crucial on the stroke of half-time. Sapsford, who was injured and seen on crutches at the end, was replaced by Fatah at the break. Stoger took action to throw Ercan Kara up top, with Antiste dropping into the hole behind him. That was a game-changer. United struggled to keep Rapid at bay from the outset of the second period. Kara proved a physical threat while fellow sub Andrija Radulovic's pace and creativity was a problem. United had a huge chance on 54 minutes for a third. A brilliant, flowing move culminated in Dolcek's inswinger dropping for Ferry at the back post. The captain volleyed wide. That apart, United came under huge pressure from all angles. Kucherenko's 55th minute save from a fierce Petter Dahl drive only delayed the inevitable in a ferocious pursuit of a comeback. Antiste was an elusive operator as a withdrawn striker and he was just that at a Rapid corner. The slightest of headed touches glanced the ball into the bottom corner, perhaps off Iurie Iovu on the way. Thomson and Stirton brought young, fresh legs from the 71st minute. But Rapid were a long way from running out of ideas or, indeed, their own energy reserves. Kucherenko produced his save of the night at full stretch from Kara but United's defensive door was coming away at the hinges. A vicious inswinger found Kara making a dart across to the front post and his flick found the far corner. Goodwin boldly went 4-3-3 with Kai Fotheringham on for defender Iovu just before the end of the 90. That shrewd piece of work was vital in giving Rapid more to worry about. And it almost paid off 10 minutes into extra-time against a defence that looked vulnerable throughout. Stirton pounced on a poor header back to goal from Cvetkovic and tried to dink the keeper in his one-on-one. Hedl's threw out a long arm to block brilliantly, leaving the teen to boot an advertising board in fury. There was more agony in the shoot-out. Fatah hit the post with the first kick before Kara made no mistake. Ferry, Esselink, off the underside of the bar, Sevelj and Keresztes kept it going.
