In the second leg of the 1st qualifying round of the Champions League, Shamrock Rovers recorded a narrow 2-1 victory over Víkingur Reykjavík, thereby achieving a 2-1 aggregate score. A standout performance in the first half by Johnny Kenny, who scored twice, cemented Shamrock Rovers’ advancement into the Champions League qualifiers’ second round, rebounding from missed opportunities in Iceland the previous week.
The game was not without late tension, as Víkingur missed a penalty opportunity that could have taken the game into extra-time during the additional eight minutes. This occurred when the Rovers were playing with one less player on the field. The Rovers’ captain Roberto Lopes, who had an intercepting display, was penalised for a foul on Vladimar Ingimundarson, despite vehement protestations from the Hoops.
English referee, Jarred Gillett, maintained his initial position, even after an extensive VAR review, reiterating the penalty kick decision. As the home ground spectators held their collective breath, Víkingur captain Nikolaj Hansen, who had been instrumental in their second half resurgence, hit the post from the penalty spot sparking relief in the home ground.
This win now sets the stage for Shamrock Rovers to face-off against Sparta Prague, with the first leg scheduled to take place in Tallaght next week. This encounter guarantees a minimum prize fund of €1.7million, with the prospects of at least two more rounds of European engagements.
Regrettably, the Rovers will be without their creative force, Jack Bryne, for next week’s clash against the Czech Republic team, as he was sent off in the closing stages of the game owing to a second yellow card. A single change from their previous game saw Víkingur begin on a high note, cornering within 16 seconds and giving the Rovers a fright within the second minute. Despite a hasty clearance of the set piece by the Rovers, Ari Sigurpalsson set up a shot for Helgi Gudjonsson, which Lopes excellently deflected.
Substituting suspended Darragh Nugent, Kenny, on loan from Celtic, made an immediate impact in the Rovers’ line-up, contributing to the team’s first attack within eight minutes of the game. Gunnar Vatnhamar attempted to intercept a skillful pass from Dylan Watts, but Kenny confidently got in behind and managed to skillfully navigate past Peter Ekroth before hammering home a left-foot shot through the legs of goalkeeper Ingvar Jonsson.
Later, at the 16 minute mark, the Rovers exploited the sluggish Víkingur defence again as Byrne set up Gary O’Neill with a clever pass. Although Jonsson managed to reduce the threat briefly, Trevor Clarke’s strike was deflected out for Rovers’ first corner of the match. Kenny’s astute offensive positioning and speed proved too much for the visiting team’s defence as he effectively doubled the lead with his second shot at goal.
Kenny’s second goal was facilitated by dynamic midfielder Watts who impressively outpaced three defenders to deliver the assist. With Ekroth hesitating again, a confident Kenny exploited the opportunity, driving a right-footed shot through the centre-back’s legs to beat a poorly placed Jonsson at the near post, marking Kenny’s 12th goal of the season.
Though Víkingur managed to maintain possession for a majority of the first half, their efforts to create goal-scoring opportunities proved unfruitful against the cohesive Rovers defensive setup. Following half-time, Víkingur made two changes and were disappointed not to score within four minutes of the restart. Ari Sigurpalsson, sadly, sent his shot over the crossbar despite a coordinated effort from Matthias Vilhjalmsson and Erlingur Agnarsson.
Hansen, who was also brought in after halftime, demonstrated improved accuracy at the hour mark, stooping to head in from Sigurpalsson’s cross from the left flank; thereby bringing his side back into contention. However, even on the back foot, Víkingur almost surrendered a goal during a counterattack at the 67-minute mark. Kenny again posed the threat, retrieving a pass from substitute Neil Farrugia and narrowly missing the target with his shot.
In British English:
Byrne of the Rovers team, who had been cautioned earlier for unsportsmanlike conduct, received a second warning following a foul on Ingimundarson, forcing his teammates to step up their defence for the rest of the game that had about 20 minutes remaining. Goalkeeper Pohls proved instrumental in the closing stages, stopping sure attempts from Anderson and Ingimundarson, helping the Rovers team fend off a dramatic final assault.
The Shamrock Rovers squad included Pohls, Cleary, Lopes, Hoare; Honohan, O’Neill, Watts, Clarke, with Farrugia subbing for him at the 62nd minute; Byrne, Greene, with Burns replacing him at the 65th minute; and Kenny, replaced by Grace at the 80th minute.
As for Víkingur Reykjavík team, it comprised Jonsson; Gunnarsson, Ekroth, G. Vatnhamar, Fjoluson; Agnarsson replaced by Thrandarson in the 82nd minute, Punyed replaced by Andrason in the 74th minute, Sigurpalsson with Thordarson as a sub at the 74th minute, Gudjonsson for whom Hansen was brought in at half-time; Ingimundarson and Djuric who was replaced by Vilhjalmsson at half-time.
The match was overseen by referee Jarred Gillett from England, with a total attendance of 7,632 spectators.