The Lilywhites were
looking forward to pull and upset at Petrosvsky Stadium at Saint Petersburg, Russia,
after their last meetings back at Tallaght were the Blue and White Sky Blues pull
an all-around upset in front of their faithful.
With a 2-1 score at
Dublin, Dundalk was looking forward to return the favor to their Russian foes
and pull within first with a couple of points behind and stay put in second place
with nine points, this if they would pull the miracle.
As November 20 was
still fresh in the minds of the League of Ireland Champions, their main goal
was to play the role of spoilers with a win and prevent Zenit of assuring a
spot in the group of 32.
Unfortunately, the miracle
and upset did not happen despite a game-tying goal in the 52nd
minute by their midfielder sensation Darryl Horgan, after his score it looked
like this was to become a shoot in the arm for the visiting Erin Boys.
Still the afternoon
belonged to a trigger-happy and accurate Russian side Midfielder in Brazilian
born Giuliano who left their guests astonished of how he could repeat the dose
to them once again and this time with a double on the 42nd and 78th
minutes.
That helped seal the
win and his pass squad pass into the next rounds.
Once again elevating
the status of Zenit as unbeatable at home as in the past, as no one of the
likes of Torino, PSV Eindovehn and Az having a hard time scoring a goal like
the Lilywhites did and almost tied the match on the 82nd.
Leaving Stephen Kenny
side with four points in the overall table and two matches left, one at home against
AZ Alkmar and the other with a positive result they can advance into the next
rounds in what would be their first time.
So far tied with Dutch
side Alkmar with four points and the goal differential separates the Lilywhites
from this squad and the Israeli side with a couple these can kiss the competition
goodbye as well play the role of spoiler at the end.
With Group D winner label
leaning towards the Zenit Boys, with this win they already sealed their fate to
the group of 32, for the Lilywhites role in their next matches is a couple of
wins, that will get them into the next stages.
For the Dundalk squad
looking forward for their Dublin match on the 24th of this month, as a positive
result will be with no doubt a positive one but still an odd one can get the
League of Ireland squad into the point of sealing their fate against Israeli side
Maccabi Tel Aviv.
As the three time
winners of the Aitricity League champions, these are looking forward to seal
their date with destiny, as their qualifying into the next round is not easy
but not impossible as they are within a few feats to do so.
At the end, the
Lilywhites despite their strenuous schedule in league play and international stages,
however they are to play one compromise at home this Sunday in the FAI Cup against
their arch-rival Cork City.
So far kudos to the
man at the helm of the Lilywhites for keeping his group focus and showing a
spirit like no other in their quest of making history in the international
stages and advancing into the next rounds.
So far the Lilywhites
can get in narrowly with a couple of positive results.
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of © Dundalk FC 2016
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