Shamrock Rovers Vs Fk Ekranas CL R2 1st Leg

colly_06

Shamrock Rovers V Fk Ekranas
Champions League Round 2 First Leg
Tallaght Stadium
K.O 8 PM

'The Road To Wembley'

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Stephen Kenny’s side enter this tie hoping that European competition might offer some respite from the difficulties that the club has suffered in domestic competition recently.



Rovers’ league form has been patchy with only one win in their last six games, a 3-2 win away at Shelbourne. They have also registered four draws against opposition as diverse in quality as Monaghan and Dundalk on one hand, and St Pats and Cork City on the other. But it is the 4-0 defeat away to derby rivals Bohemians three weeks ago that offers itself as a barometer of the club’s current unhappy status.



Last season Europe provided the Hoops with enough heroic tales to keep their fans going for years to come, and the hope will be that this season’s competition can offer a little space for the class of 2012 to re-group and find their way forwards.



Aaron Greene and Ciaran Kilduff will both miss out through injury while their are doubts over the fitness of Ken Oman who suffered a dead leg in the game against Dundalk last Friday.



Speaking in the build up to the game, Stephen Kenny said “Ekranas have won their league four years in a row, and they’ll have no fear coming here. But we have done well at home this season, and our aim is to continue that tomorrow night.



“The players gained a lot of experience in last year’s campaign and that should stand to us over the two legs. Our results haven’t been consistent lately, but we have every belief in what we are doing, and we have confidence going into the game”.



FK EKRANAS

Ekranas have won the Lithuanian league for the past four seasons and have competed in the Champions League for the past three. In 2009 and 2010 they fell at the first hurdle, going out to Baki of Azerbaijan and HJK of Finland.



But last summer Ekranas beat Valetta of Malta 4-2 on aggregate in the second qualifying round, only the second time they had ever progressed through a Champions League tie. They went out to Bate Borisov of Belarus in the next round before losing 4-1 over two legs to Israeli side Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Europa League play-offs.



Ekranas have met Irish opposition before and have a 100% winning record on Irish soil. Though they lost 2-1 on aggregate to Cork City in 2005, losing 2-0 in Lithuania when Roy O’Donovan and George O’Callaghan scored for the Rebels, they won 1-0 at Turner’s Cross a week later.



Currently, Ekranas lead their domestic league, sitting six points above their nearest rivals VMFD Zalgiris. They have lost only once in their 19 league games to date - a 3-1 defeat away to Suduva on the opening day of the season - and have won three and drawn three of their last six.



Referee: Mattias Gestranius (Finland).





MATCH STATS

In the past two seasons Rovers have played eight European games at home. They have won just one of those, 1-0 against Flora Tallinn at this stage last year.



At this point in last season’s competition Ekranas beat Valetta of Malta 3-2 away from home, while overs beat Flora Tallinn 1-0 in Tallaght thanks to a Chris Turner goal.



Ekranas have a 100% winning record on Irish soil, beating Cork City 1-0 in the UEFA Cup at Turner’s Cross in the summer of 2005.


Rovers Injury News: Ciaran Kilduff, Aaron Greene (out); Ken Oman (doubt).

Rovers Suspension News: None.



Ekranas Injury News: Unavailable.

Ekranas Suspension News: None.

IrishAm

Really looking forward to RTE's coverage of this game tonight........

colly_06

It's ridiculous, I believe Setanta are showing the away leg. At least we have the nice weather, can't wait, anyone else heading up?

stovelid

I admire the optimism of the Road To Wembley caption.

IrishAm

A lot of Lithuanians in Dublin so should get a decent attendance. Can you buy tickets at the gate for the away section? Thinking of going to this but don't want to be surrounded by hoops.

dreamers75

www.srfc.tv showing it.

colly_06

Yeah you can buy tickets at the boot outside, I'd say the away section would be more mental than the home stands, I can't imagine a huge crowd tonight anyway.

stovelid

IrishAm wrote: »

Thinking of going to this but don't want to be surrounded by hoops.

Sure the feeling is mutual.

major bill

4/1 for a Lithuanian win...........worth a punt

grenache

From watching the MNS highlights of their game with Dundalk, Rovers didn't exactly inspire me to believe they can beat Ekranas over 2 legs. Ball seems to spend a lot more time in the air since the arrival of Stephen Kenny. Sending my Italian friend along to watch it.

SantryRed

dreamers75 wrote: »

www.srfc.tv showing it.

Only live commentary.

grenache

stovelid wrote: »

Sure the feeling is mutual.

super_furry

Wish I was more optimistic about this. C'mon the Hoops!

Francie Barrett

Just had a look on Ladbrokes there and they are only offering 4/7 on Rovers winning.

dfx-

colly_06 wrote: »

Yeah you can buy tickets at the boot outside, I'd say the away section would be more mental than the home stands, I can't imagine a huge crowd tonight anyway.

Apart from PAOK, the away crowds in Europe have either been sparse or pretty quiet. PAOK fans were possibly genuinely crazy :cool:

Be very surprised if Rovers even keep it competitive for the second leg.

Mr.Crinklewood

Is Kavanagh in the Shams squad?

rmchmufc

Good luck to Rovers.

Ferris_Bueller

Best of luck to Rovers, great to see Irish clubs doing well in Europe, here is to what is hopefully another successful year for Rovers.

bohsman

Here's hoping Agent Kenny keeps up the good work.

Mint Sauce

Thought this would have been on RTE.

Oat23

http://www.ustream.tv/channel-popup/srfc-2012

Video & Audio.

Samich

Why is the final in Wembley again?

Francie Barrett

Ekranas look pretty ordinary so far.

Captain Havoc

Francie Barrett wrote: »

Ekranas look pretty ordinary so far.

Concur, but neither keeper has had to make a save so far. I wish rovers would learn not to pass across box, caught them out against Bohs and I'm sure it'll catch them out tonight.

Francie Barrett

Conor Powell is atrocious on the ball.

TheRedDevil10

Francie Barrett wrote: »

Conor Powell is atrocious on the ball.

He is an atrocious player

Captain Havoc

Maybe their misfiring strikers will make up for Rovers defense. Finn in there with a nice position, best chance so far.

the realpigiron

This match should be on RTE or TV3, particularly given Rovers performance in Europe last season. Poor show from Irish broadcasters in their coverage of Irish teams in Europe.

Mr.Crinklewood

Commentary is dire compared to Pats.

bohsman

TheRedDevil10 wrote: »

He is an atrocious player

Bit harsh, good going forward but a liability when defending.

Francie Barrett

Poor enough so far. Ekranas have offered very little and look to have struggled with the pace of the game. Rovers have punted a lot up to Twigg, but delivery has generally been poor. Rovers need to get the ball on the deck and pass it around, the few times they did that, they threatened.

the realpigiron

Francie Barrett wrote: »

Poor enough so far. Ekranas have offered very little and look to have struggled with the pace of the game. Rovers have punted a lot up to Twigg, but delivery has generally been poor. Rovers need to get the ball on the deck and pass it around, the few times they did that, they threatened.

Sorry off topic. Are you the real Francie Barrett? If you are pleased to meet ya, I'm the realpigiron:D

the realpigiron

Commentator is a bit exciteable.

Francie Barrett

Ekranas all over the place. Rovers really should be creating more chances.

Captain Havoc

How was that not a goal?

Francie Barrett

Twigg misses a sitter.

Francie Barrett

Another sitter, Ekranas are dreadful.

Mr.Crinklewood

Did the commentator just get exited at a goal kick?

Captain Havoc

Billy Dennehy has done very well since he came on

the realpigiron

Hope Rovers don't regret all these chances they are missing.

rmchmufc

Rovers should be out of sight

applehunter

Shocking misses there in the last 10 minutes.

Shocking.

applehunter

0-0

Still all to play for but they really should have scored a goal there in the last quarter.

Francie Barrett

How have Rovers not won tonight? Ekranas were simply shocking, kicked the ball away at every opportunity and stood of Rovers players all night. Rovers should still go through, can't see Ekranas scoring.

kryogen

Loved it

Gavin "shels"

Don't forget lads Ekranas are financially fecked, they had to let go some of their best players last week.

BKC

Rovers generally do better in Europe away from home, so I still fancy them to go through.

CSF

Do they go through to the next round of the Europa if they go out?

BKC

CSF wrote: »

Do they go through to the next round of the Europa if they go out?

No. They have to get through this round before the Europa League comes into the equation.

CSF

BKC wrote: »

No. They have to get through this round before the Europa League comes into the equation.

Jesus, really make or break for Kenny so.

bohsman

BKC wrote: »

Rovers generally do better in Europe away from home, so I still fancy them to go through.

They have an awful away record in Ireland at the moment so wouldn't count on it.