7 days ago
Shelbourne suffer heartbreak as Rijeka strike late to end Reds' Europa League dream
Shelbourne's hopes of Europa League group stage football ended in agony as a dramatic late Rijeka goal cancelled out their brave fightback at a sold-out Tolka Park - but one last shot at Europe remains in the Conference League play-off
SHELBOURNE have another chance to make history and the group stages - but they will rue not taking this one.
Croats Rijeka came to Tolka Park and won 3-1 to ensure a 4-3 aggregate Europa League win after last week's shock loss at home.
2
Ante Orec of Rijeka celebrates with Rijeka manager Radomir Dalovic after scoring their side's third goal late during the clash at Tolka Park
2
Shelbourne's Ademipo Odubeko scores from the penalty spot - the Dublin side will now head into a Conference League Playoff clash
But the result does not tell the full story of a game where Shels looked well beaten, until they were right back in it, only for it to be taken away from them again.
The Croatian double winners were well on top and two-goals to the good entering the final 18 minutes thanks to a fine strike by Toni Fruk and a stunning one from Tiago Dantas.
But they were handed a lifeline four minutes from time after a three-minute VAR check that confirmed John Martin had his jersey pulled as he tried to reach a Harry Wood cross.
Mipo Odubeko did the rest from the spot with a shot that goalkeeper Martin Zlomislic almost saved and he was almost beaten moments later by Milan Mbeng for an incredible tie-winner.
But as the game seemed to be heading towards extra time, the Rijeka defender who gave the penalty away - Ante Orec - popped up with the winner.
Shelbourne were crestfallen as Rijeka celebrated like there was no tomorrow.
But there is a tomorrow for the Reds with Europe offering them one more chance to make the group stages.
Their Champions League win last month over Linfield guaranteed the champions path and three shots at it, and that now means Conference League play-off - possibly against Linfield.
The Irish League champions must overturn a 2-1 deficit against Faroese champs Vikingur in Belfast tomorrow that would set up a €3.8 million tie.
And Linfield boss David Healy was in Tolka last night in preparation, sitting alongside Ireland gaffer Heimir Hallgrímsson.
Carabao Cup introduces popular new feature on 24 teams' shirts as Arsenal are brutally trolled
It was a celebrity filled director's box with Dubs legend Stephen Cluxton and Bertie Ahern also there for what was the hottest ticket in town with the game not on TV.
Also there was referees' observer Martin Hansson - yes, THAT Martin Hansson who missed Thierry Henry's handball in 2009.
Quite what he thought of referee Martin Barbu will be saved for UEFA, but he certainly annoyed the Shelbourne fans throughout.
The penalty he gave was thanks to VAR, while he also waved away an early one when Ali Coote went over the goalkeeper as he chased a longball.
But while Shels fans were aggrieved at the refereeing decisions, the greater concern for much of the 90 minutes was their opponents who came to play.
The open half can largely be summed up by stating that Rijeka had the ball and Shelbourne chased after it.
Rijeka rarely threatened as the Paddy Barrett-marshalled defence gave little away, but it was still hard work for the Red men.
And the tension was felt in the crowd too as they watched Shelbourne drop deeper and deeper even as, at times, they frustrated Rijeka into errors.
But the goal was coming long before playmaker Fruk drilled home from the edge of the area from a well-worked Rijeka move.
Bar Coote's early penalty shot, Shelbourne had offered little with one Mipo Odubeko cross that almost found Milan Mbeng the nearest they came to a chance.
At times, they did look too cautious with players content to keep the ball in midfield rather than make runs forward.
But that may also have been to take a breather after chasing shadows for much of the opening 33 minutes.
Yet, they almost got an instant reply to Fruk's opener when McInroy had a shot saved by Zlomoslic after James Norris had headed back Mbeng's deep cross.
But Rijeka smelt blood and pushed on for a goal that would put them in front on aggregate as defender Stjepan Radeljic and Dantas both heading wide just before half-time.
Shels boss Joey O'Brien took action during the break introducing last week's goal scoring hero John Martin for Coote.
And Martin made an immediate impact as he raced onto a McInroy pass on the left and crossed low for Odubeko who, under pressure, stabbed the ball wide at the near post.
But while the Reds were better, the hosts were the more threatening as Niko Janknovic twice went close from distance.
And Rijeka did take the lead with a screamer on 72 minutes when Portuguese midfielder Dantas took one touch 35-yards out and unleashed a drive that flew beyond Wessel Speel.
Had the referee blew for full time after that, Shelbourne could have had no complaints.
But the Reds regrouped and threw everything forward and won the penalty on 86 minutes after Martin was tugged back by Orec.
Even as the VAR review was going on, Evan Caffrey smartly stood on the penalty spot to stop any Rijeka players scuffing it.
And Odubeko held his nerve to drill the ball under goalkeeper Zlomislic who guessed right and got something on the ball.
Mbeng then had a header saved by the goalkeeper moments later that would blown the roof off Tolka.
But just as extra time beckoned, Orec broke into the box to pick up a ball from Merveil Ndockyt and fire home from 12-yards.
It was sickening for Shelbourne as this was a great chance to make the group stages tonight.
But there is one more chance.
Shelbourne 1 - 3 Rijeka
Sun Star Man - Toni Fruk (Rijeka)
Shelbourne: Speel 6; Bone 7, Barrett 7, Ledwidge 6; Mbeng 7, Lunney 6 (Chapman 78, 6), McInroy 7 (Kelly 90, 6), Norris 6 (Caffrey 78, 6); Wood 6, Coote 5 (Martin ht, 6); Odubeko 6.
Rijeka: Zlomislic 7; Orec 6, Majstorovic 7, Radeljic 7, Devetak 7; Petrovic 7, Dantas 7 (Kreilach 90, 6); Ndockyt 7 (Menalo 90, 6), Fruk 8, Jankovic 7; Juric 7 (Lasickas 75, 6)
Referee: M Barbu (Romania) 4.
