IT’S FIVE LONG months since Dundalk set off on their European crusade, but whether they will be involved beyond the New Year all depends on the events of this evening.
The SSE Airtricity League Premier Division champions find themselves in a three-way battle with tonight’s opponents Maccabi Tel-Aviv and AZ Alkmaar to claim the runners-up spot and a place in the knockout stages.
Four points picked up in their opening two Group D matches — including a memorable 1-0 win over Maccabi in Tallaght Stadium — have kept the Lilywhites in with a shout of qualification despite suffering three consecutive defeats since then.
It’s not completely in their own hands heading into the final match at Maccabi’s Netanya Municipal Stadium (6pm Irish time), however.
In order for Dundalk to progress, they need Zenit St Petersburg, who have already been confirmed as group winners, to avoid defeat in Holland.
If the Russian side claim three points, a score draw would be enough to send Stephen Kenny’s side through, but if Zenit and Alkmaar were to share the spoils the Louth club would have to carve out a famous victory in Tel-Aviv.
And that’s the result Kenny’s team will be going out to get, according to the Dubliner.
“There is permutations that a score draw could put us through if Zenit win their match but we must not think like that,” he told Dundalkfc.com ”We can’t think like that.
“It’s a win or nothing for me and I only see it as a win or nothing game for us. Maccabi are huge favourites with their record. They have been in the Champions League and have 17 international players but we have achieved special things over the last few years and we must strive to go one further.”
While Dundalk are out now out of season and without a competitive match since the 1-0 loss to Alkmaar at the end of last month, Maccabi have been in awful form in recent weeks.
Second in their domestic league, Shota Arveladze’s men have one win in their last seven games in all competitions and they’re without a goal in six hours of football.
Netanya Stadium. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
“It’s a huge opportunity for us,” added Kenny. “It’s not completely in our own hands. We are not in control of our own destiny because AZ Alkmaar have a home game against Zenit St Petersburg.
“We must try to beat Maccabi Tel-Aviv who only last year were in the Champions League themselves. We must try to get the win over here in Israel.
“Zenit are a proud team and they won’t want to lose a game. They will want to maintain their 100% record in the group. From our point of view we need to focus on Maccabi.
“We have enough to worry about in terms of Maccabi Tel-Aviv. They are a good side and we must focus on them. There isn’t a city or a country that we have been in that we haven’t scored in.
“Luxembourg, Croatia, Belarus, Iceland, Poland, Holland and Russia we have scored in each one. We have the ability to go and score goals anywhere and all through the team.
We have managed to score in every country and we must draw on that again in Israel.”
While Shane Grimes is unavailable after undergoing a hamstring operation, captain Stephen O’Donnell and fellow midfielder Chris Shields are back in contention after their recent injury troubles.
Having come this far, it would be a real shame if Dundalk were to miss out on the opportunity to test themselves in the last-32 come February.
But whatever the outcome this evening, they have done Irish football proud on a remarkable journey that will be talked about for many years to come.
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'It’s a win or nothing for me' - Dundalk need a favour on make-or-break European night
IT’S FIVE LONG months since Dundalk set off on their European crusade, but whether they will be involved beyond the New Year all depends on the events of this evening.
The SSE Airtricity League Premier Division champions find themselves in a three-way battle with tonight’s opponents Maccabi Tel-Aviv and AZ Alkmaar to claim the runners-up spot and a place in the knockout stages.
Four points picked up in their opening two Group D matches — including a memorable 1-0 win over Maccabi in Tallaght Stadium — have kept the Lilywhites in with a shout of qualification despite suffering three consecutive defeats since then.
It’s not completely in their own hands heading into the final match at Maccabi’s Netanya Municipal Stadium (6pm Irish time), however.
In order for Dundalk to progress, they need Zenit St Petersburg, who have already been confirmed as group winners, to avoid defeat in Holland.
If the Russian side claim three points, a score draw would be enough to send Stephen Kenny’s side through, but if Zenit and Alkmaar were to share the spoils the Louth club would have to carve out a famous victory in Tel-Aviv.
And that’s the result Kenny’s team will be going out to get, according to the Dubliner.
“There is permutations that a score draw could put us through if Zenit win their match but we must not think like that,” he told Dundalkfc.com ”We can’t think like that.
“It’s a win or nothing for me and I only see it as a win or nothing game for us. Maccabi are huge favourites with their record. They have been in the Champions League and have 17 international players but we have achieved special things over the last few years and we must strive to go one further.”
While Dundalk are out now out of season and without a competitive match since the 1-0 loss to Alkmaar at the end of last month, Maccabi have been in awful form in recent weeks.
Second in their domestic league, Shota Arveladze’s men have one win in their last seven games in all competitions and they’re without a goal in six hours of football.
“It’s a huge opportunity for us,” added Kenny. “It’s not completely in our own hands. We are not in control of our own destiny because AZ Alkmaar have a home game against Zenit St Petersburg.
“We must try to beat Maccabi Tel-Aviv who only last year were in the Champions League themselves. We must try to get the win over here in Israel.
“Zenit are a proud team and they won’t want to lose a game. They will want to maintain their 100% record in the group. From our point of view we need to focus on Maccabi.
“We have enough to worry about in terms of Maccabi Tel-Aviv. They are a good side and we must focus on them. There isn’t a city or a country that we have been in that we haven’t scored in.
“Luxembourg, Croatia, Belarus, Iceland, Poland, Holland and Russia we have scored in each one. We have the ability to go and score goals anywhere and all through the team.
While Shane Grimes is unavailable after undergoing a hamstring operation, captain Stephen O’Donnell and fellow midfielder Chris Shields are back in contention after their recent injury troubles.
Having come this far, it would be a real shame if Dundalk were to miss out on the opportunity to test themselves in the last-32 come February.
But whatever the outcome this evening, they have done Irish football proud on a remarkable journey that will be talked about for many years to come.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
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UEFA Europa League Dundalk Maccabi TA Maccabi Tel Aviv out of their hands Stephen Kenny Dundalk Maccabi Tel Aviv