Dundalk have mountain to climb against KA in second leg

It was so disappointing to see Dundalk beaten by Icelandic side KA by 3-1 in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the Europa Conference League last Thursday.

This came just days after the heroics of playing with 10 men the previous Sunday when they knocked champions Shamrock Rovers out of the FAI Cup.

It's left the Oriel Park side a mountain to climb when they face KA in the second leg. Dundalk had the chances to at least claw the score back.

But they missed some good opportunities in the second half.

I was very surprised at the formation manager Stephen O'Donnell played with from the start. Playing with three men at the back is always a risky thing to do especially in Europe.

It is particularly hard to understand why the Dundalk boss played with a defence like this, away from home in Europe.

Unlike their first round opponents Magpies, a team which Dundalk knew little or nothing about, Stephen O'Donnell had plenty of knowledge on his European opponents going into Thursday's game.

He had a full dossier prepared on them by the club match analyst when they were in Wales the  previous week.

The Dundalk boss went to see them playing last Monday night when they played in the Icelandic League.

Thus Stephen O'Donnell knew exactly what he was coming up against.

It was a mistake to play three at the back from the start of the game.

The gaps the KA opened in the Dundalk defence in the first half to get their goals was the major reason why Dundalk went down to such a heavy defeat.

The combination of using Andy Boyle, Hayden Muller and Robbie McCourt as his three at the back just did not work.

And when it was changed, it was too late to repair the damage.

Archie Davies and Darragh Leahy were used as wing backs while Yi-Koko, Kelly, Sloggett, Malley were the midfielders with Pat Hoban up front.

Unlike the first leg of the previous round Dundalk used four substitutes.

It was a surprise to see Ryan O'Kane being left on the bench. It's always much better to start Ryan. He did come into the game in place of Robbie McCourt 17 minutes into the second half.

But at that stage it was too late for Ryan to be able to have an impact. I have noticed in the games at Oriel it's fine to take Ryan into a game any time in the second half.

However in big games away from home when the team is losing, the young midfielder can find it difficult to get into the game.

It was difficult for any of the substitutes to have an impact as the game was basically gone with Dundalk 3-1 down.

The statistics tell an unusual story considering Dundalk were well beaten. KA only had three shots on target in the entire game and all three were goals.

They had the killer instinct.

Dundalk had five shots on target, but scored only once.

KA did have six shots off target to Dundalk's two.

The amazing stat is that Dundalk had 64 per cent of the possession to KA's meagre 36 percent.

Both teams only had one corner in the game. They came very late into the second half.

There were only three offsides between the two teams.

Dundalk had two, while KA had only one.

To me the fact that KA had three shots on target and scored all three says everything. . Dundalk were only able to score once, while having five shots on target.

The chances that fell Dundalk's way in the second half were enough to have seen them haul themselves back into the tie. That they failed to do so leaves many questions unanswered.

The Dundalk boss brought John Martin into the game in place of Johannes Yi-Koko at 63 minutes. This was a good move as Martin played a much more forward role with Pat Hoban. Paul Doyle also came in for Greg Sloggett.

Cameron Elliott replaced Daniel Kelly, possibly Dundalk's best player with just nine minutes remaining.

I was amazed in one way that the Dundalk manager's first reply in his post match interview was that he was happy with Dundalk's performance.

How could he be happy when his side came away with a 3-1 defeat and having a huge mountain to climb at Oriel.

He was right when he said Dundalk dominated the game. The statistics show that. But the score shows they were well beaten.

KA seemed to shut up shop in the second half and were content to see Dundalk come looking for goals.

Dundalk created solid chances. But failed to take them.

This Dundalk team are much better in tough away key games at playing four at the back. The back three tactic left Dundalk very vulnerable. The score shows that.

The manager was right to say from anyone looking at the game, Dundalk losing 3-1 was the worst possible score. But then he amazingly said that performance wise he was happy.

He said they dominated 85 per cent of the game. They did not. it was 64 per cent.

It's not about how teams play in first leg ties away from home  in  such important tournaments. It's about results.

It would not matter if Dundalk played like world champions they failed to win the game or at least get a result. It's the scoreline that matters nothing else.

Dundalk would have been much better to have played the game as tightly as possible.

Instead they left themselves vulnerable and were badly punished by the tactics of completely openly attacking the Icelanders with a three men at the back tactic.

Dundalk did tighten up at the back in the second half and conceded no further goals.

At times teams must play ugly to win games over two legs. This was Dundalk's chance to do that. They did not.

They were badly punished for their defensive deficiencies. They have had problems with the defence all season in the league itself.

They only have a goal difference of plus six in the League. This could cost  them  a place in Europe next season if League positions come down to goal difference.

Asked by Dundalk Democrat reporter Niall Newbury if he was disappointed by giving away fairly avoidable goals, O'Donnell said that his side had them pressed down the corner.

He said Dundalk let them out too easy and the goals were all sort of similar trend.

He said the goals were of good quality from KA's point of view and KA were very efficient with the ball, pointing out that the three goals were their shots on target.

O'Donnell said again Dundalk dominated the game, adding that the tie was not over.

He was clear that he was looking forward to the preparations for the game on Thursday at Oriel.

Once again the Dundalk manager with his answers to Niall Newbury failed to concede that this defeat was of Dundalk's own making.

As far as I am concerned the manager  got his tactics wrong.

He was without Louie Annesley at the back. Louie was missing from the first 11 for the Shamrock   Rovers game last Sunday week. He was again missing on Thursday.

He was on the bench for the second time in four days. I'm taking it that Louie was injured.  You do not leave a key defender out of your first 11 .

O'Donnell did say that he knew going into the game that KA were very good offensively.

He said the game hinged on moments. Dundalk had these but did not get enough goals from their dominance. I would totally agree with this.

O'Donnell said KA obviously countered on Dundalk and got the all important three goals.

Niall Newbury asked the Dundalk boss if he was not disappointed Dundalk did not create many chances in the second half with

O'Donnell saying he thought John Martin did have a good chance. This he said was cleared off the line.

He said KA sat in on their own half. O'Donnell said this ensured Dundalk would not create many chances. But this was good tactics by KA.

These are the tactics Dundalk should have adapted in the first half.

They showed against Shamrock Rovers with 10 men that they could defend a lead for 75 minutes. But trying to play KA with three at the back killed them. I have no doubt KA sat back in the second half and believed they had the job done.

It certainly is not done. Dundalk can still rescue the tie. But it will take some effort.

It's a massive pity Dundalk threw away a golden chance in Iceland.

I was amazed to hear O'Donnell say that he did not say anything in the dressing room at half time that stopped KA from remaining scoreless in the second half.

O'Donnell says he was happy with the first half display. How could he be? Dundalk gave away three goals that could have been prevented.

The simple fact is that Dundalk were found out defensively in the first half, that gave the Icelanders three goals from three shots.

The manager was tactically naive last Thursday. The goals conceded were shocking defensively. KA led in the first half when Bjarni Aðalsteinsson got the opening goal.

Daniel Kelly easily Dundalk's best player on the night levelled the game on 32 minutes.

But a Sveinn Haukusson brace before the break put KA in the driving seat.

The first big chance came for KA on 15 minutes when Dundalk could not deal with a set piece from Pætur Petersen.

The ball broke to him again in another incident. It found it's way to Rodrigo Mateo. His effort was deflected onto the crossbar by Darragh Leahy.

Pat Hoban got a cross into Archie Davis. He headed over from close range. Dundalk were caught out at the other end when poor defensive work saw KA nearly score.

KA's lead goal came on 28 minutes when a cross into the box allowed them to score from close range.

The Dundalk defence were caught out badly by Bjarni Aðalsteinsson to score, even though Daniel Kelly got the equaliser, KA got their second when again the Dundalk defence were caught out. Sveinn Hauksson latched on to a great through ball and had the simplest of tasks to score.

KA's third goal came five minutes later when Sigurgeirsson put a great low cross into the box.

It was   dummied by Pedersen. This allowed Hauksson to have the simplest of tasks to rifle the ball to the net for his second and KA's third.

John Martin on as a sub in the second half  come close with a good effort.

Martin then forced the KA keeper into a good save with his feet as his team  came more into the game.

Dundalk's last real chance came near the end when Connor Malley's free from the right was headed narrowly over by Hayden Muller. 

Dundalk did dominate possession in the second half . But they could not really find a way to penetrate the 10 man defence by KA. They were happy with their 3-1 lead at half time and put up the shutters for the second half .

Dundalk now face a massive uphill struggle to qualify for the third round.

It's believed that the club would get another €550,000 should they get past KA.

Dundalk can get two goals back on KA to level the tie at Oriel. But the problem lies in the defensive strategy that Dundalk use.

Three men at the back won't work.

Dundalk must keep it tight at the back for the first 20 minutes. They just can't afford to concede.

It would be a game on if  Dundalk  got an early goal.

They would just need a second goal to tie the game. But this is all easier said than done.

There is a lot of bravery amongst this Dundalk squad inspired by the manager.

Can Dundalk go through? Yes they can.

Will they? I just simply don't know. If I  did know I would be a millionaire.

League

While Dundalk were in Europe, Bohemians were winning in the league. The results left Bohs just four points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers. They are just a point behind Pat's and Derry city.

Bohemians moved four points clear of Dundalk and remained in fourth place. But they are clearly in the hunt for a European spot and maybe even are in the title chase.

Dundalk are four points behind Derry, Pat's and Bohs and are just a point ahead of Shelbourne. They have a real battle on their hands to get the third spot. This year there are so many clubs involved in the chase.

Only second and third place guarantees automatic qualification for Europe. Dundalk trail Derry and Pats by four points. They could qualify by getting fourth place. But that depends on a number of factors. Some years fourth place has been enough. Many years it has not. And Dundalk have a very bad goal difference.

Euros

There was good news this week that it looks like a joint bid by the FAI, IFA, Welsh, Scottish and English FA will get the go ahead to stage in the Euros in 2028. But none of the five are guaranteed automatic progression to the finals. One of them will have to win a place through the qualifiers. One suggestion is that the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland play a qualifier league with the top four going through.

If the Republic fails to get an automatic place then it is a waste of time staging the finals here. Whatever way they decide who's to lose out on automatic qualification, I can see a lot of trouble ahead unless an amicable solution is found.

Women's World Cup

The Republic bowed out of the Women's World Cup Finals when they went down to their second defeat of the campaign. They effectively have been put out by a penalty against Australia and an own goal to Canada. Their last game was against Nigeria.

They were magnificent against Canada and went ahead on three minutes with a goal from Katie McCabe. They ran the Canadians ragged in the first 15 minutes and could have been three up. When they did not get another goal I could see the Canadians winning. That's what happened. The Girls in Green were put out by an own goal as they lost 2-1.

They have been great ambassadors for the game.

Women's football will continue to grow and grow. This is why it's essential to see Dundalk have a  women's team in the Premier Division of the Women's National League as soon as possible.