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The 42
4 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Absorbing drama as Rijeka score 90th-minute winner to dump Shelbourne out of Europa League
Europa League third qualifying round, second leg Shelbourne 1 Rijeka 3 Rijeka win 4-3- on aggregate FIRST CAME THE thuds, then came the silence. And in a flurry of dizzying, headache-inducing drama during the final 10 minutes there was the kind of noise that Tolka Park has not witnessed for years, but Shelbourne were ultimately left with a cruel heartache from an absorbing defeat. Their European dream has not been broken by this Rijeka loss as they now have one last shot at a Uefa Conference League play-off against either Linfield or Vikingur. But when Mipo Odubeko stood up and saw his 86th minute penalty squirm under the body of Niko Jankovic it looked like this tie was heading for 30 minutes of extra-time. Instead, a final twist – quite literally – saw the man who conceded the spot kick, Ante Orec, wriggle free in the box and turn to deliver a 90th-minute reverse shot that ensured a 3-1 win on the night sent them through. There had been lengthy VAR drama after the full back pulled back substitute John Martin in the box and it took the guts of four minutes for referee Marian Barbu to consult with his officials before checking the screen. Rijeka showed their nerve to get over that bitter disappointment and the sight of their head coach, Radomir Dalvoic, ignoring the customary post-match handshake with Joey O'Brien and instead sprinting onto the pitch, hopping like a desperate, giddy bunny rabbit into the grateful embrace of his players showed just how this final few moments shredded the nerves. All of this at a point when it looked like Tolka Park had been stunned into a stupor by two moments of lethal Rijeka class from a pair of long-range goals from Toni Fruk and Tiago Dantas either side of half time. Fruk was the one to produce the moment of first-half class on 33 minutes that left Tolka Park stunned. Advertisement His opportunistic snap shot volley inside the D at the edge of the box was clinical and classy. Striker Ante Matej Juric laid the ball out to Tiago Dantas and his tee up for Fruk was half a yard above the ground. In an instant he had a decision to make. Take a touch and get closed down or rely on his technical gifts to come up with something wonderful. He opted for the latter, and delivered. He was on the right side of the D and connected with such sweet conviction that Wessel Speel's dive to his right side was forlorn. No sooner and that sound of the connection reverberated around Drumcondra than the ball hit. All was quiet then. The Rijek bench celebrated wildly with some coming on the pitch but with their away supporters banned from travelling for poor behaviour the most piercing sound was of silence. Until that point, Shels might have been relatively happy with how they were keeping the Croatian champions at arm's length. There was one fine diving block from Paddy Barrett when Juric controlled a clipped ball into the area and was able to turn and get a shot away. Other than a penalty appeal after three minutes when Ali Coote collided with goalkeeper Martin Zlomisilic – VAR didn't deem it worthy of a review – it was the away side who had all the ball and probed with an intensity that didn't give Shels a second. Niko Jankovic, the talented midfield who may soon be departing to Fenerbahce, showed why he is sought after with a couple of set pieces that, on another night, might have delivered another couple of goals. The Shels boss rejigged things at the break, introducing last week's goal hero Martin for Coote and ensuring the isolated Mipo Odubeko had more support up top. It almost paid off on 53 minutes when McInroy's clipped ball into the left channel and the substitute was onto it in a flash with Odubeko able to peel off into the box. A neat ball was slipped across to the front of the six yard box and while Odubeko was able to make the first connection with his left foot, covering defender Mladen Devetak did enough to ensure he couldn't hit the target. It's easier said than done to be more assertive and confident in possession when the opposition can up the intensity levels but Rijeka definitely didn't seem prepared to put Shels under as much pressure as the first half. And then Dantas received what seemed like a harmless square pass 30 yards out before opening his body at the precise angle that allowed him cut across the ball with a swiftness that saw it fly into the top left corner. Silence again, right until 10 minutes later when the mayhem really began. Harry Wood floated a cross to the back post on 81 minutes and Martin got ahead of Orec. It looked like a desperate attempt to win a penalty until the VAR spotted a pull of the jersey. The wait took the spot kick up until 86 minutes and Odubeko just about converted. He seemed almost too relieved to celebrated, and probably with good reason. Tolka Park was still energised by what some might have felt was a sense of destiny. The Riverside unfurled a banner before kick off calling on the Spirit of 2004 – when they knocked out Hadjuk Split – and when it looked like this might turn into an even more historic night Orec popped up in the other box with a moment – and goal – that was far more decisive. Shels go on in Europe but now it is last chance saloon. Shelbourne: Wessel Speel; Milan Mbeng, Sam Bone, Paddy Barrett, Kameron Ledwidge, James Norris (Evan Caffrey 78); Harry Wood, JJ Lunney (Ellis Chapman 78), Kerr McInroy (Dan Kelly 90+1), Ali Coote (John Martin HT); Mipo Odubeko. Rijeka: Martin Zlomisilic; Ante Orec, Ante Majstorovic, Stjepan Radeljic, Mladen Devetak; Dejan Petrovic, Toni Fruk, Tiago Dantas; Merveil Ndockyt, Ante Matej Juric (Justas Lasickas 75), Niko Jankovic. Referee: Marian Barbu (Rou)
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Shelbourne undone in final minute as Europa League journey ends
Shelbourne 1-3 HNK Rijeka (Rijeka win 4-3 on aggregate) Shelbourne's Europa League dream died on a sultry night in Drumcondra, but the Conference League group stages remain very much achievable after a second leg in Tolka Park that will reign long in the memory. Goals fit to grace any occasion – on 33 minutes from Toni Fruk and 73 from Tiago Dantas – had Shels seemingly down and out, only for Mipo Odubeko's scuffed penalty to restore parity after what seemed a never-ending VAR call by the officials. Yet, just as Tolka threatened to crumble with the noise, Ante Orec blasted into the bottom corner in the 90th minute, Shels scarcely able to believe that they had conceded a third. It was hard to keep a handle on it all, with Rijeka clearly the superior team on the night but Shels understandably feeling they deserved extra-time at least. What will at least encourage Reds boss Joey O'Brien is that there is only so much you can do against such quality as the first couple of goals. Now Shels will meet Linfield, who they overcame in a Champions League qualifier last month, or Faroese outfit Vikingur for a far more winnable game and Conference League group combat after 10 matches to get there. Extra-time would have been intriguing, even allowing for the Croats' superior class, but Shels and O'Brien have enough about them to get Conference League football once they – and all of us – digest what happened here in Tolka. On a gorgeous evening heaving with expectation, Shels missed arguably the best chance of the game from open play in the early minutes, but thereafter were finding any meaningful possession extremely difficult. Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, and Dublin GAA legend Stephen Cluxton were among those in the dilapidated Richmond Road Stand, the state of same testament to the incentive for Shels getting over this tie and ensuring a windfall. The Reds would be guaranteed league phase football in the Conference League and a €3.8m cheque from Uefa if they could finish the job in their Europa League third-round qualifier. Key attacking midfielder Fruk returned from suspension with Dantas, ex-Bayern Munich, part of a double pivot with Dejan Petrovic. They would, predictably, cause the Reds many problems. There was controversy three minutes in – but not enough for VAR to intervene just yet. Clever control from Harry Wood bought him time and he whipped a long ball in the direction of Ali Coote, who bothered big Mladen Devetak such that the defender failed miserably to clear. Coote, one on the other one of keeper Martin Zlomislic, should have done better but ended up colliding with the Bosnian. The crowd roared for a penalty but Romanian whistler Marian Barbu could not blame his view of the clash and waved appeals away. Shels' pressing was impressive and, with no visiting fans allowed due to a Uefa ban, this was not an easy atmosphere for Devetak and his colleagues, the defender slicing over the sideline to big cheers 13 minutes in. That said, Shels barely had any possession in the opening quarter, and it was a warm evening for constant chasing of the ball. The first scent of a strike Fruk enjoyed saw a defiant block from Kerr McInroy in front of the Riverside Stand. Paddy Barrett fashioned a truly superb block of his own on 25 minutes, with the strapping Ante Juric finding space and firing at Speel. Then James 'Chuck' Norris nipped in to prevent Merveil Ndockyt from scoring, but the corner saw another scare, defender Ante Majstrovic hooking wide; the hush in the old place reflected growing unease. The opening goal had given the hosts ample warning, yet was of such quality as rarely seen in this ground. Orec flicked a cross back to Juric, who teed it up for Fruk, whose volley was as much instinctive as perfection – one of those goals that stuns the crowd even before it hit the net. Shels' response was defiant, with Milan Mbeng finding Norris at the opposite post and the Englishman teed up Scot McInroy, whose shot was met by Zlomislic. But it was anomalous in a half dominated by a classy Rijeka and Petrovic's excellent delivery from a corner then saw Nico Jankovic connect but miss narrowly. Shels were prisoners to the gods, the ball a whisker wide with the interval approaching. And the threat carried by the Croats was constant, with the diminutive Tiago Dantas – a rare thing in a very tall and physical Rijeka side – heading wide, Shels a little exposed. John Martin, fresh from two excellent headed goals in the past week, including in Croatia, was brought on for the somewhat unlucky Coote at the interval. Martin and Odubeko combined seven minutes in but the pacy striker was under pressure and directed his shot wide – a sign that he was a threat if he got any service. Still, it was Rijeka who seemed most likely, and Petrovic might have done better on the volley from a corner on the hour mark. McInroy was struggling in open play and could not prevent a really dangerous Rijeka break on 64 minutes, with Jankovic threatening but ultimately lacking power in his strike. Wood, arguably Shels' best player, looked to be fouled as the final quarter commenced and Shels would have been raging had Fruk's strike matched his goal for accuracy; instead it was well wide. If the first was a "worldie", it is a case of beauty being in the beholder's eyes as to whether or not it bettered the second. With seemingly no instant danger to worry about, Shels nevertheless pressed Dantas, but he was so far from goal it was barely credible that he could leave Speel with no chance – a goal that will linger long with all those who bore witness. VAR has been really kind to League of Ireland teams and Martin was glad of it as he claimed Orec had a hold of him after a cross into the box, with what seemed like several minutes before the referee was sent to have a look at his monitor between the two dugouts. Usually this is merely going through the motions, but Barbu was in no rush to make a call, belatedly pointing to the spot. Mipo, who barely had a sniff all evening, will hit much better penalties but it trickled under Zlomislic – and Tolka utterly erupted. Not content with that, Mbeng's back-post effort was saved by Zlomislic, but the drama was not yet done. As the fourth official readied his board, Merveil Ndockyt's free-kick fell to Niko Jankovic. He knocked it back to Orec, whose effort just about evaded Speel in the bottom corner. Speel even came up for a set-piece at the Ballybough end to cause some mayhem but Rijeka held out, and Shels had no more to give. Earlier in the evening, what now seemed like a lifetime ago, a 'Spirit of 04' banner greeted the players, recalling an incredible victory here over Hadjuk Split 21 years ago. Tolka Park has changed little in those two decades and change, but this Shels European story, already full of drama, is far from over. Shelbourne: Wessel Speel; Sam Bone, Paddy Barrett, Kameron Ledwidge; Milan Mbeng, Harry Wood, JJ Lunney (Ellis Chapman 78), Kerr McInroy, James Norris (Evan Caffrey 78); Ali Coote (John Martin 46), Mipo Odubeko. HNK Rijeka: Martin Zlomislic, Ante Orec, Ante Majstorovic, Stjepan Radeljić, Mladen Devetak; Tiago Dantas (Damir Kreilach 90), Dejan Petrovic; Niko Jankovic, Toni Fruk, Merveil Ndockyt (Luka Menalo 90); Ante Matej Juric (Justas Lasickas 75).
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Shelbourne v Rijeka – Drama in Tolka as Odubeko hits late penalty to level matters
Live | Shelbourne take on Croatian side HNK Rijeka in their Europa League third qualifying round second leg tie at Tolka Park this evening. Leading 2-1 from last week's first leg, the League of Ireland Premier Division champions are just a draw away from an estimated €3.4million in Uefa prizemoney and further riches with a guaranteed place in the league phase of the Conference League. Catch all the action as it happens here. 86' Goal Shelbourne Scorer Mipo Odubeko GOAL! We are heading for extra-time as it stands! It was anything but convincing from Mipo Odubeko in truth. He goes low to his right with just enough power to see the ball squeeze under Martin Zlomislic's grasp. 86' Penalty Shelbourne Shooter Mipo Odubeko PENALTY! The Romanian arbiter takes his sweet time to come to the decision... and he points to the spot. Tolka Park erutps. Mipo Odubeko has the ball under his arm. 83' VAR HUGE PENALTY APPEAL - a third of this game for Shels! Harry Wood's cross from the right towards John Martin is perfect. Ante Orec gets the wrong side of the Kilkenny native and looks to have clearly pulled his jersey. VAR is reviewing the footage this time and the Romanian ref is going to his monitor! 79' The introduction of Evan Caffrey is part of a double switch with Ellis Chapman taking over from JJ Lunney to breathe life into the Shels midfield. 76' Substitution Rijeka Substituted out Ante Juric Substituted in Justas Lasickas This change tells you all you need to know about Rijeka's intentions. Full-back Justas Lasikas replaces the Croatian champions' striker on the night Juric. Time to shut up shop it seems! 74' Scoring Chance Shelbourne Player Paddy Barrett Decent chance for Shels a minute after conceding their second goal of the night - Paddy Barrett connects beautifully, but Rijeka goalkeeper Zlomislic watches it sail over his crossbar. 73' Goal Rijeka Scorer Tiago Dantas Assist Mladen Devetak GOAL! Shels are behind on aggregate now. It's another absolute world class strike from Tiago Dantas, but it's all too easy from a Shels perspective. Full-back Mladen Devetak just passes it inside to the former Bayern Munich academy talent. He looks up with space in front of him, and rifles it into the top-right corner from all of 30 yards. A thunderbolt! 71' Corner Shelbourne Shels get their second corner of the game which is taken by Kerr McInroy, but it yields nothing in an attacking sense. Kameron Ledwidge gives away possession needlessly thereafter. 69' Scoring Chance Rijeka Player Toni Fruk The Shels fans are left incensed by a supposed foul on John Martin by Tiago Dantas. Rijeka attack through Toni Fruk who curls wide from the edge of the box. It's fair to say the Romanian arbiter has let the game flow this evening. No bookings to speak of yet and he's hardly used his whistle! 68' Success for Robbie Keane's Ferencvaros as Aidan Fitzmaurice updates us on the final score: Full-time in Budapest and Robbie Keane's Ferencvaros win 3-0 against Ludogorets and enter the playoff round of the Champions League. If their schedules allow - and they both have a big weekend ahead - Keane might put in a call to his former Ireland teammate Joey O'Brien for an insight on Ferencvaros's next opponents, Qarabag, as they knocked O'Brien's Shels out of the Champions League in the last round. 65' Scoring Chance Rijeka Player Niko Jankovic SAVE! That was well held by Wessel Speel. Rijeka strike on the counterattack as Niko Jankovic's effort takes a nasty deflection off Paddy Barrett. The 23-year-old reacted brilliantly to keep it out. 61' Corner Shelbourne More protestations for a penalty from Shels as John Martin goes down in the box under pressure from Stjepan Radeljic. VAR doesn't intervene, so it stays as a corner. 58' Corner Rijeka After a strong spell in possession, Rijeka earn themselves a corner which eventually falls to Dejan Petrovic. The 27-year-old Slovenian swings a right boot at it, but sends it high into the Dublin night sky. 53' CHANCE! John Martin almost makes an instant impact as he hares down the left flank behind Ante Orec. His cross to Mipo Odubeko is on the money, but the 22-year-old drags his effort the wrong side of the post from 6-yards. Mladen Devetak did just enough to put him off. 52' Dublin greats Clucko and Mossie Quinn will be hoping for an improved second-half showing: 48' Aidan Fitzmaurice updates us on some other Irish involvement in Europe tonight: Shelbourne have a big 45 minutes ahead of them here at Tolka Park but there's also Irish interest in Budapest. Ferencvaros, managed by Robbie Keane and with Callum O'Dowda in the starting XI, lead Ludogorets 1-0 on the night and on aggregate in their Champions League third round tie, with 15 minutes to go. Live Blog Software
