SLOVAN BRATISLAVA 2 SHAMROCK ROVERS 0
Alan Mannus kept Shamrock Rovers’ Champions League dreams on life-support tonight with a penalty save in the closing moments in Bratislava.
Had Euro 2020 star Vladimir Weiss converted from the spot with the last kick of the game, the plug would surely have been pulled on Rovers’ bid to remain in Europe’s premier competition.
As it stands, Mannus’s double-save - he also denied Weiss from the rebound - has kept the Hoops’ slim hopes of progress alive.
But it will require a much more clinical performance by the Dubliners if they are to have any hope of reaching a second round tie with Swiss side Young Boys.
Brazilian Rafael Ratao put Slovan firmly in the driving seat with two goals either side of half-time - the second just minutes after the restart.
That one was a bitter blow to the Tallaght Stadium outfit, as they would have taken belief from their opening 45-minute display that they could get back into the tie.
Their confidence took a visible hit, however, from the sloppy concession of a second.
However, they landed back in Dublin late last night with spirits up ever so slightly thanks to Mannus’s injury-time heroics.
Ronan Finn clipped the heels of Weiss as the Slovakia international raced into the penalty box.
Referee Sebastian Gishamer pointed to the spot and flashed a yellow card at Finn - one of two members of the current squad from their group stage adventure 10 years ago.
The other, Mannus, guessed right as substitute Weiss took aim from 12 yards and he parried the penalty, and was up promptly to save again from Weiss on the rebound.
It wasn’t the most cleanly struck spot-kick of all time and was placed a comfortable distance from the centre of the former Northern Ireland international’s goal.
If it proves to be a turning point in this tie, then the experienced Slovakian will regret coming back to club action so soon after playing against Sweden and Spain at the Euros.
But it’s a big ‘if’, as there’s a lot of work to be done before a game-plan to close the two-goal deficit can be presented by Bradley to his players.
While disappointed by the nature of the goals conceded, they struggled to make much headway themselves in the final third.
Right-wing-back Sean Gannon had their best chance when he controlled a Liam Scales cross and set himself for a half-volley, early in yesterday evening’s clash.
But his finish didn’t match his first touch and he dragged his shot across goal and well wide of the far post.
At the other end of the pitch, Rovers were impressive in defence and were effective in limiting the supply line to Nigerian striker Ezekiel Henty.
Roberto Lopes was the most outstanding of all, as he so often has been for Rovers, displaying a game-intelligence that stands out so clearly at this level.
He was so often in the right place at the right time, reading the intentions of the Slovan attackers.
Ratao, coming in from the left, was the hosts’ biggest threat and it took a wonderful Lopes tackle to deny him a clear strike on goal on 28 minutes.
Unfortunately for the Irish champions, their relief lasted mere seconds, as Ratao broke the deadlock with a header.
Joeri De Kamps swept a brilliant ball wide left to Vernon De Marco, who had the space to take a heavy first touch.
His cross, however, was perfection, as he lifted the ball to Ratao on the six-yard line, and he shrugged off the attention of Lee Grace to head powerfully past Mannus, who was facing into the bright evening sun.
The mercury was still hitting 30 degrees as the half-time whistle went, but on the pitch the temperature rose just two minutes after the restart as Slovan doubled their lead.
Rovers should have stopped the move that involved Rabiu Ibrahim and Aleksandar Cavric, who looked to have messed up a one-two with Ratao.
But the hosts recovered and the Brazilian made no mistake with his finish.
Mannus did brilliantly well on 79 minutes to deny Weiss in a one-on-one, as Slovan pushed for a third.
But he saved his best until last when, deep into injury-time, his double-save kept the 71-time capped winger at bay.
Rovers have it all to do next Tuesday in Tallaght, but at least there’s a sliver of hope for Bradley’s men.
