THREE POINTS TONIGHT would have been a huge boost to Shelbourne’s 2017/18 Uefa Women’s Champions League qualifying hopes, but it just wasn’t to be in Seaview.
Although still unbeaten, they’ll feel it may be a missed opportunity as Konin walked away with maximum points from their clash earlier today.
Only the group winner is guaranteed an automatic place in the 2017/18 Champions League round of 32, while the best-placed runner-up joins the 10 group winners and 21 teams given byes.
Both sides started brightly, testing the waters in the opening minutes. Vantaa, who beat Linfield 1-0 on the opening day of fixtures, looked threatening at times, but the Shelbourne defence dealt accordingly with any potential danger.
Siobhán Killeen sparked the game to life in the 12th minute with the Red Panda’s first real opportunity, but her effort was sent over the bar.
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She was forced to the line soon after, as injury continues to plague the Reds — 18-year-old sensation Leanne Kiernan was ruled out for the second group game.
Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
American striker Gloria Douglas, who also left the field injured on Tuesday but started tonight, caused problems for the Vantaa defence again, but Pauliina Tähtinen got a crucial touch between the posts to ensure the deadlock wasn’t broken just before half-time.
On the restart, Vantaa claimed the majority of the early chances, with Amanda McQuillan tested but pulling off some impressive saves.
But Shels soon rediscovered their dominant attacking edge.
There were huge calls for a penalty for the Dublin side early in the second half as Douglas appeared to be pulled down in the area, but the referee waved play on.
Moments later, Alex Kavanagh had a glorious chance to edge Shelbourne ahead as the clock struck 62 minutes, but her effort hit the woodwork.
As the clock ran down, both sides introduced fresh legs but neither managed to make that vital breakthrough. The Shelbourne fight must be complimented, but they’ll be disappointed not to have taken full advantage of tonight’s opportunity.
Next up for Shaun Maher’s side are Northern Irish champions Linfield — who were beaten 4-1 by Konin earlier today — in their final Group 4 clash on Monday.
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Shelbourne unable to break deadlock but fight hard to remain unbeaten in Europe
Shelbourne 0
PK-35 Vantaa 0
THREE POINTS TONIGHT would have been a huge boost to Shelbourne’s 2017/18 Uefa Women’s Champions League qualifying hopes, but it just wasn’t to be in Seaview.
Having held the Group 4′s top seeds Medik Konin 0-0 on Tuesday, Shelbourne were pitted against Finland’s PK-35 Vantaa tonight.
Although still unbeaten, they’ll feel it may be a missed opportunity as Konin walked away with maximum points from their clash earlier today.
Only the group winner is guaranteed an automatic place in the 2017/18 Champions League round of 32, while the best-placed runner-up joins the 10 group winners and 21 teams given byes.
Both sides started brightly, testing the waters in the opening minutes. Vantaa, who beat Linfield 1-0 on the opening day of fixtures, looked threatening at times, but the Shelbourne defence dealt accordingly with any potential danger.
Siobhán Killeen sparked the game to life in the 12th minute with the Red Panda’s first real opportunity, but her effort was sent over the bar.
She was forced to the line soon after, as injury continues to plague the Reds — 18-year-old sensation Leanne Kiernan was ruled out for the second group game.
American striker Gloria Douglas, who also left the field injured on Tuesday but started tonight, caused problems for the Vantaa defence again, but Pauliina Tähtinen got a crucial touch between the posts to ensure the deadlock wasn’t broken just before half-time.
On the restart, Vantaa claimed the majority of the early chances, with Amanda McQuillan tested but pulling off some impressive saves.
But Shels soon rediscovered their dominant attacking edge.
There were huge calls for a penalty for the Dublin side early in the second half as Douglas appeared to be pulled down in the area, but the referee waved play on.
Moments later, Alex Kavanagh had a glorious chance to edge Shelbourne ahead as the clock struck 62 minutes, but her effort hit the woodwork.
As the clock ran down, both sides introduced fresh legs but neither managed to make that vital breakthrough. The Shelbourne fight must be complimented, but they’ll be disappointed not to have taken full advantage of tonight’s opportunity.
Next up for Shaun Maher’s side are Northern Irish champions Linfield — who were beaten 4-1 by Konin earlier today — in their final Group 4 clash on Monday.
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