THEIR OPPONENTS ARE in the driving seat but Dundalk striker David McMillan believes they’re capable of tipping the balance in their favour tonight in Iceland.
Stephen Kenny’s side will take on Icelandic champions FH Hafnarfjordur at the Kaplakriki Stadium (Eir Sport 1, 8.15pm kick-off) in the second leg of their Champions League second qualifying round tie.
The sides are level at 1-1 from last week’s first leg at Oriel Park, but that precious away goal means that Hafnarfjordur have got the upper hand going into tonight’s game.
Dundalk need to score in order to keep alive their hopes of progressing to a meeting with BATE Borisov (Belarus) in the next stage of the competition, which would seal €1.2million in prize money for the SSE Airtricity Premier Division champions.
That would represent a substantial cash injection for the Lilywhites, who’ll bring in just €110,000 if they manage to win their third successive league title this season.
“Obviously we have to get a goal out there with the score being 1-1, but I think we have got the firepower to do that,” Dundalk striker David McMillan told the club’s official website.
McMillan opened the scoring in the first leg, taking his goals tally to an incredible seven in just three games, having netted hat-tricks against both Longford Town and Derry City in their previous two outings.
“We have scored in nearly every away game this year, won most of them and our away form has been excellent. I think we have enough quality to score and the tie is still winnable, but we have to go out there and do a job and hopefully we come home with the right result.”
McMillan put his side ahead in the 66th minute in Louth seven days ago, but former Dundalk player Steven Lennon scored a crucial equaliser for Hafnarfjordur 10 minutes later.
Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny has a full squad to choose from for tonight’s game, with the exception of defender Brian Gartland, who’ll be out of action for six-to-eight weeks after breaking his wrist in last week’s first leg.
“I think they have technically good players but it will be interesting to see how they approach the second game,” added McMillan, a 27-year-old Dubliner who joined Dundalk from Sligo Rovers ahead of the 2014 season.
“Will they come out and play against us, or will they sit in and try and keep it scoreless? That’d put them through, but either way we’re confident we have enough to win the tie and hopefully see us through.”
Should Dundalk progress, they’ll face BATE Borisov — the side who eliminated them from the Champions League qualifiers last season. The first leg is scheduled to take place in Belarus on 26-27 July, with the second leg set for 2-3 August.
Would be great for the league of Ireland if they progresed
FH looked an average loi team who got a goal against the run of play last week. We were the better team but they might have been keeping it tight.. but if they play like they did last wed and we play like we can then we will advance.. i firmly believe we will score tonight. Garts is a massive loss in the centre of defence but barrett is a good replacement… we are playing FH for €1.2m and a guaranteed 4 more games minimum in Europe.
Who’s we ?!
“We”… Are Ireland’s number one. The Black & White army.
Not doubting you. They really are Ireland’s number 1. Just asked for the craic because my uncle always mocks me when I use ‘we’ when talking about cork city lol
Massive game for Fundalk given the money at stake , great for the town and club . Really well run club these days with a super manager leading the team. Cmon da town !!
Get the name right pal. They’re fun to watch but I wouldn’t go that far
Says the plastic Irish supporter. Take down that Irish cover photo please if your not willing to support your own Irish league.
I’m supporting them no doubt.
Disappointed there isn’t a LIVE ticker thread for this game. It’s only the champions of Ireland playing in the world’s most lucrative competition. RTE not broadcasting it is a disgrace. And they claim to be supporters of domestic football. (Yes I know it’s on Eir Sport).
Dundalk playing some nice football here, they’ve been the better team so far, unlucky to be behind. Horgan & McMillan are doing very well. They’re just lacking a bit of composure in the final third.
Still nothing up about the match tonight disgraceful from the 42
And still nothing. Surely a live ticker wasn’t beyond them. They are the champions of Ireland and our only representatives in champions league. Fair dues to Eir for covering it, super game and even better performance from Dundalk.