Match review by Luke O’Mahony
A match that ended in heartbreak for Rovers. 120 minutes and 10 penalties summed up in one article. Here are the key moments from Shamrock Rover’s clash versus Molde in Tallaght.
After nine minutes and thirty seconds of play the possession stats conveyed the game as a nil-nil thrashing. However, just seven seconds later the ball was rifled into the back of McGinty’s goal (after a major communication error at the back) by Magnus Wolff Eikrem.
The next major chance came as VAR reviewed a possible penalty when McEneff claimed to have been fouled by Molde’s goalkeeper, Karlstrom. The check was complete and no spot kick was awarded in front of the South Stand.
Half Time: 0-1 (1-1)
As previously stated, Rovers held the ball for the majority of the first ten minutes. After an hour of European football in Tallaght that stat had evened itself out- Rovers 53% to Molde 47%. After sixty-two minutes a corner was swung in and kept out by Molde’s backline. Two minutes later, Rovers had their second penalty shout of the night when Noonan was put under pressure just a couple of yards out from the Molde goal line. Their appeals were of no use as the referee called for the game to continue.
In the seventy-first minute Molde found themselves charging towards McGinty’s goal, Lee Grace dragged down his opposition much to the annoyance of the boys in blue. A yellow card was shown to Grace and the Premier Sports commentary team rightfully described it as a “good yellow card” given the situation. Rovers dominated the following eight minutes and were awarded a free kick just outside the Molde box. The delivery had just too much on it as it bypassed every player in a green and white shirt.
The scoreboard showed that eighty-five minutes had elapsed in Tallaght as a corner was awarded to Rovers. This was then cleared away for another corner kick, their fifth of the night.
Aaron Greene replaced Burke with eighty-eight minutes gone. The fourth official’s board was in use again a minute later as he showed that three additional minutes were in order. With thirty seconds left Amundsen dragged down his opposition and was shown a yellow card for the second time in Dublin. Molde were down to ten in Tallaght but (to the relief of their fans) nothing came from the free kick.
Full Time: 0-1 (1-1)
Extra Time:
Two minutes in Karlstrom let the ball pass him yet the ball didn’t come close enough to the line to alarm the Norwegian keeper.
Ten minutes later, no change in the score. However, after an increase in pressure from Rovers, they won another corner. No shot would come from that set piece while the atmosphere continued to grow in Tallaght.
Second half of Extra Time:
Plenty of ball movement by Rovers yet no more than a few half-chances for The Hoops. Molde appeared content with penalties with around two minutes remaining.
Full Time (after Extra Time): 0-1 (1-1)
Penalties:
Rovers take first: Matt Healy goes left and puts Rovers into the lead. McGinty guesses correctly but can’t prevent the score. 1-1. Noonan converts and so do Molde. 2-2. Aaron Greene steps up and is denied by Karlstrom. Molde’s number 10 makes it 3-2 to his side. O’Sullivan levels it as he takes Rover’s fourth penalty but Molde regain their advantage. 4-3 to Molde. McEneff scores. It comes down to the final kick. The penalty is scored by Hestad.
Molde advance.