Slovan sail past Tobol with a draw
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
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FC Tobol Kostanay 1-1 ŠK Slovan Bratislava (agg: 1-3)
Two to the good after last week's opening instalment, Slovan added to their buffer through Jiří Kladrubský before conceding a second-half own goal.
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ŠK Slovan Bratislava wrapped up their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round tie 3-1 on aggregate following a 1-1 draw with FC Tobol Kostanay in Kazakhstan.
Trailing 2-0 from last week's meeting in the Slovakian capital, Tobol's task became even harder in front of their home fans when Jiří Kladrubský struck on 16 minutes for the visitors. Though the Kazakh champions drew level on the night thanks to a Peter Štepanovský own goal, Slovan had done enough to keep their European campaign alive.
The hosts started full of intent, Sergei Gridin and Vitali Volkov having early half-chances before Kladrubský finished Slovan's first opening from distance. Far from being despondent having seen their early good work go to waste, Sergei Petrenko's side bounced back off the canvas.
They had a handful of opportunities to level after the break, only to be frustrated by goalkeeper Matúš Putnocký. The equaliser finally arrived just after the hour, however, when Štepanovský inadvertently turned a corner past Putnocký. Slovan will meet either KS Skënderbeu or APOEL FC – who finish their tie on Wednesday – in the third qualifying round.
