Shamrock stand firm to progress in Tallinn
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
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FC Flora Tallinn 0-0 Shamrock Rovers FC (agg: 0-1)
A goalless draw was enough to earn the visitors a third qualifying round berth courtesy of their narrow first-leg victory in Dublin.
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Shamrock Rovers FC held Estonia's FC Flora Tallinn to a goalless draw to earn a UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie against Danish giants FC København.
Neither goalkeeper was called into action in the first half and, although the visitors came close to extending their lead after the break, Michael O'Neill's team were rarely troubled as they held on to a valuable clean sheet.
After a slow start it was the hosts who fashioned the first meaningful attempt, Sergei Mošnikov dancing through the Shamrock defence but failing to find the target. However, in front of an impressive following the visitors took control, with Ronan Finn and Dean Kelly firing wide in quick succession midway through the first half.
The Hoops also began the second period on the front foot, Ken Oman testing Stanislav Pedõk in the Flora goal. Martin Reim's side seldom threatened but were unfortunate not to pull level on aggregate when Nikolai Mašitšev's cross-cum-shot sailed past the upright. Seven minutes from time Kelly almost finished off the tie but his header from Stephen O'Donnell's cross was smartly saved by Pedõk.
Shamrock's reward is a tie against Danish champions København − who reached the first knockout round last season − with the first leg being played on 26/27 July before the return in Dublin on 2/3 August.
