IT ALL BOILS down to this then. After producing several unforgettable moments already this season, Dundalk are looking to create one more this evening as their participation in the Europa League hangs in the balance.
Ireland’s top club have travelled to Israel to face Maccabi Tel-Aviv and there’s a place in the knockout stages up for grabs with the Lilywhites, their latest opponents and AZ Alkmaar all chasing the runners-up spot in Group D, while Zenit St Petersburg already have top spot wrapped up.
Put simply, Dundalk are hoping Zenit can do them a favour by beating AZ in Holland as it will mean a score draw is enough to send them through. If Zenit and AZ are level at the final whistle, Stephen Kenny’s men must win at the Netanya Stadium.
We’ll keep you up-to-date with the two matches, which both kick off at 6pm.
“There is permutations that a score draw could put us through if Zenit win their match but we must not think like that,” Stephen Kenny said this week. “We can’t think like that.
It’s a win or nothing for me and I only see it as a win or nothing game for us. Maccabi are huge favourites with their record. They have been in the Champions League and have 17 international players but we have achieved special things over the last few years and we must strive to go one further.”
Read more pre-match quotes from the Dundalk boss and as well as my preview here.
The teams are in and Chris Shields starts in midfield after recovering from injury while captain Stephen O’Donnell is on the bench meaning Andy Boyle skippers the side.
Maccabi Tel-Aviv: Rajkovic; Dasa, Ben Haim, Tibi, Ben Harush; Igiebor, Golasa, Medunjanin; Miha, Kjartansson, Ben Chaim (c).
Dundalk: Rogers; Gannon, Gartland, Boyle (c), Massey; Shields; McEleney, Finn, Benson, Horgan; McMillan.
When Dundalk last faced Maccabi at Tallaght Stadium back in September, Ciaran Kilduff came off the bench to score the winner 18 minutes from full-time. The striker is back among the substitutes tonight as David McMillan has been recalled to the starting XI.
The Dundalk boss walks the Netanya Stadium pitch…
Two of Dundalk’s best players, Andy Boyle and Daryl Horgan, are expected to make moves to England in coming weeks with Preston North End rumoured to be close to sealing deals for the pair.
So this could be their final game in the white and black of The Town.
Please do, Axel. We’re counting on you…
Here come the teams.
KICK-OFF - After a moment’s applause for the Chapecoense air disaster, we’re underway. Dundalk, who tip-off, are in their home kit of white and black, the home side wearing yellow with a blue trim.
McMillan is clipped by Igiebor and Dundalk have an early free-kick in a decent area. It’s sent towards Gartland but Maccabi snuff out the danger.
Gartland attempts to put McMillan in over the top but the ball is too long and runs all the way through to Rajkovic.
Maccabi then attack down the right with Kjartansson, who cuts the ball back to the six-yard box. Shields gets back to make a timely intervention, however.
Bosnian international Medunjanin attempts a shot from long distance. It’s on target but hit tamely and Rogers makes an easy save.
OFFSIDE – Maccabi have the ball in the back of the net through Ben-Chaim, but the captain had trailed offside before scoring.
Bad news coming through from Holland, as AZ have taken a seventh-minute lead against Zenit through Ben Rienstra.
A win for the Dutch side would ensure Dundalk’s elimination.
YELLOW CARD – Maccabi midfielder Golasa chops down Horgan and goes into the referee’s book. The resulting free-kick comes to nothing.
SAVE! Miha cuts inside onto his left and lets fly. Rogers gets a palm to the strike to stick it behind for a corner. That set piece causes a few problems and Maccabi win a second corner, before the ball eventually goes wide. The home side have looked lively here.
That’s better from Dundalk. After patient build-up play, Shields finds the run of Gannon down the right. The full-back crosses early but it’s headed away by Dasa.
Maccabi win a free-kick 35 yards out after Finn catches Golasa. It’s drilled straight into the wall though.
PENALTY TO MACCABI…
GOAL! Maccabi Tel-Aviv 1-0 Dundalk (Ben Chaim)
Disaster for Dundalk. A mistake from Gartland results in Rogers bringing down Medunjanin and Ben Chaim steps up to score from the spot.
GOAL! Maccabi Tel-Aviv 1-1 Dundalk (Eli Dasa own goal)
Super response from the visitors! Horgan is involved in the build-up and the ball is worked out to Shields, who drills it across Maccabi’s goalmouth. Horgan looks set to score, but Dasa gets the last touch.
A vital goal.
Both sides going for it now and Maccabi win a corner from Kjartansson’s deflected shot. There’s uncertainty when it comes in and Rogers finally gets the ball in his arms but the referee has given a free-kick to Dundalk anyway.
Here’s that Dundalk goal:
GOAL! Maccabi Tel-Aviv 2-1 Dundalk (Dor Miha)
Maccabi restore their advantage. Ben Chaim plays in Miha, whose strike goes under the hands of Rogers. Disappointing from the Dundalk number one.
Oh dear, AZ are now 2-0 up on Zenit. It’s not looking good at all for Dundalk as it stands.
Half-time:
Maccabi Tel-Aviv 2-1 Dundalk
AZ Alkmaar 2-0 Zenit St Petersburg
WE’RE BACK – One change to tell you about. Gartland is off with Paddy Barrett taking his place. A huge 45 minutes for Dundalk.
DISALLOWED GOAL – Maccabi appear to have scored through Miha but play is brought back and Dundalk are rewarded a free-kick for a push on Barrett.
Dundalk full-back Sean Gannon appears to be in some discomfort and is receiving treatment.
Zenit have pulled one back All hope is not lost.
Ben Chaim causing more problem and drills the ball at the chest of Rogers.
AZ have gone 3-1 up on Zenit. The dream is slipping away.
THAT’S A SITTER – Ben Chaim does brilliantly yet again before Miha slices high and wide with the goal at his mercy.
BOOKING – Horgan kicks out at Golasa and picks up the yellow.
ANOTHER CHANGE – Kilduff, so often the goal hero during this campaign, is on for McEleney.
Wait, Zenit have pulled one back in Holland. They now trail 3-2 with ten minutes on the clock. Stranger things have happened…
BIG CHANCE! Horgan cuts the ball back but McMillan can’t convert at the back post.
CLOSE – Dundalk are finishing with late push and Kilduff has just headed wide. You’d expect him to put that in.
Full-time:
Maccabi Tel-Aviv 2-1 Dundalk
AZ Alkmaar 3-2 Zenit St Petersburg
Dundalk are out of the Europa League.
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