Advertisement
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Rosenborg v Cork City, Europa League third qualifying round

Cork City must overcome a 2-0 deficit tonight in Norway, where kick-off is at 7.45pm Irish time.

Good evening, folks. Welcome to our liveblog of tonight’s Europa League third qualifying round second leg between Rosenborg and Cork City.

Kick-off at Lerkendal Stadion is at 7.45pm Irish time. We’ll keep you updated all the way as City aim to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg.

On the team news front, the big news for Cork City is that leading goalscorer Graham Cummins misses out through injury.

Manager John Caulfield has made two changes in personnel from the first leg at Turner’s Cross seven days ago. Gearoid Morrissey and Kieran Sadlier replace Cummins and Barry McNamee.

Morrissey will slot in beside captain Conor McCormack in midfield. Keohane will switch from the middle to the right-wing instead of McNamee. Sadlier will start on the left-wing, Karl Sheppard moving from his wide role to lead the attack as the lone striker.

CORK CITY: Mark McNulty; Steven Beattie, Damien Delaney, Sean McLoughlin, Shane Griffin; Conor McCormack, Gearoid Morrissey; Jimmy Keohane, Garry Buckley, Kieran Sadlier; Karl Sheppard.

Subs: Peter Cherrie, Johnny Dunleavy, Aaron Barry, Shane Daly-Bütz, Barry McNamee, Josh O’Hanlon, Ronan Coughlan.

Just the one change for Rosenborg from the team that won 2-0 at Turner’s Cross last week thanks to Jonathan Levi’s brace.

Even Hovland is replaced in the centre of defence by Besim Serbecic.

ROSENBORG: André Hansen; Vegar Hedenstad, Besim Serbecic, Tore Reginiussen, Birger Meling; Marius Lundemo, Anders Trondsen; Jonathan Levi, Mike Jensen, Nicklas Bendtner; Alexander Søderlund.

Subs: Arild Østbø, Anders Konradsen, Even Hovland, Alex Gersbach, Erlend Dahl Reitan, Pål André Helland, Erik Botheim.

The officials tonight are from Denmark, led by referee Mads-Kristoffer Kristoffersen.

The winners of this tie will advance to a tie against Macedonian champions KF Shkëndija in the play-off round. There, a place in the group stages of the Europa League will be up for grabs.

Can Cork City pull off a monumental comeback? Let us know your thoughts on this one in the comments section.

Here’s how the first leg played out last week in Cork…

The thoughts of Cork City manager John Caulfield ahead of tonight’s game:

We feel we can create chances in the second leg. At 2-0 down it’s a very difficult challenge for us, but our gameplan is about trying to get the first goal. If we can get the first goal out here then the game is back on. If that happens then we can look to put them on the back-foot. That’s easier said than done but the mood in the squad is good and we feel we have prepared well.

The teams are on the pitch. It’s raining heavily at a half-full Lerkendal Stadion, which has a 21,000 capacity.

The game is underway.

Sheppard fouled out on the left, Sadlier takes the free and City earn a corner.

Bendtner heads away for another corner.

Rosenborg clear the danger.

Beattie surges forward on the right and wins a free-kick in a good position.

Nothing came of that opportunity but this has been an encouraging start from the visitors nevertheless.

Delaney’s pass is intercepted by Bendtner, the ball finds its way to Levi on the edge of the box but he’s unable to keep it under control and McNulty collects.

Beattie gets forward again but his attempted cross is blocked by Meling.

First effort on goal comes from a Keohane strike from 20 yards but it’s saved by Hansen.

Buckley tees up McCormack but his long-range effort sails wide.

Positive showing from City so far.

Trondsen booked for a foul on Morrissey in midfield.

After being picked out by Buckley, Sheppard drills the ball across the face of goal but there’s no one there to get a touch on it. Great work by Beattie to set up the attack.

Danger for City as Meling crosses for Bendtner but McLoughlin heads clear.

Rosenborg getting into their stride now and beginning to ask questions of the City defence.

Free-kick for Rosenborg on the right. Hedenstad’s ambitious effort goes wide.

After a good start, City now finding it difficult to put together anything of note in attack. Rosenborg gradually taking control but the hosts aren’t creating much either.

Jonathan Levi with Shane Griffin Ole Martin Wold / INPHO Ole Martin Wold / INPHO / INPHO

GOAL! Rosenborg 1 Cork City 0 (Serbecic, 26)

That’s a 3-0 lead now for Rosenborg on aggregate. McNulty tries to punch Jensen’s cross away, but the ball goes straight to Serbecic whose volley hits the back of the net.

Really soft goal for City to concede. They now need to score three to advance.

Garry Buckley with Tore Reginiussen Ole Martin Wold / INPHO Ole Martin Wold / INPHO / INPHO

Rosenborg still dictating the play. City penned into their own half mostly.

Sheppard is isolated as he picks the ball up on the right and turns inside, but his shot is comfortably saved.

GOAL! Rosenborg 2 Cork City 0 (Søderlund, 34)

Meling releases Trondsen on the left, he cuts the ball back and Søderlund tucks it away from close range. That’s the end of the tie now without a doubt.

Rosenborg coasting in second gear now. City started well but they look very flat now. Only playing for pride at this stage.

Trondsen shoots from 25 yards but it’s narrowly wide

Half-time: Rosenborg 2 Cork City 0 (Rosenborg lead 4-0 on aggregate)

The game has resumed.

Barry McNamee has replaced Gearoid Morrissey for Cork City.

Meling crosses for Levi on the edge of the box but his half-volley is saved.

Close! Sadlier’s free-kick hits the post.

Cross from the left from Sadlier finds Sheppard but he’s unable to direct his header towards goal.

Another free-kick for City but this time Buckley’s strike is saved by Hansen.

GOAL! Rosenborg 3 Cork City 0 (Trondsen, 58)

Lovely link-up play between Meling and Bendtner, finished off by an emphatic finish from Trondsen, who is reportedly a target for Serie A side Atalanta.

Two changes for Rosenborg: Anders Konradsen and Pål André Helland replace Anders Trondsen and Jonathan Levi.

Konradsen, the substitute, has a close-range effort but it’s a good save by McNulty.

Keohane finds space on the edge of the box but Konradsen does well to take it off his tie.

Close! Great effort by Buckley hits the crossbar and Hansen produces an excellent save from Keohane’s rebound.

Here are the three goals, courtesy of RTE…

18 minutes remaining for Cork City to avoid going six European games without a goal.

Ronan Coughlan replaces Karl Sheppard for Cork City.

Damien Delaney and Garry Buckley dejected after their side conceded a goal Ole Martin Wold / INPHO Ole Martin Wold / INPHO / INPHO

Rosenborg make their third and final change as Erlend Dahl Reitan comes on for Vegar Hedenstad.

Johnny Dunleavy replaces Garry Buckley for Cork City.

Free-kick for City just outside the box. McNamee’s shot hits the wall and goes out for a corner.

The ball is eventually sent back in by Dunleavy but Hansen collects.

8,028 attendance at Lerkendal Stadion.

Reitan cuts in from the right. His left-footed effort curls narrowly wide.

Excuse the scarcity of updates but there really is very little happening. The second half has been very flat with Rosenborg completely out of sight.

Beattie, who has been very good for City crosses from the right but it’s slightly too high for Coughlan.

Glorious chance for Bendtner as he’s played through on goal but he blasts it inches wide.

Jimmy Keohane with a late burst forward for City but his shot goes well wide.

Full-time: Rosenborg 3 Cork City 0 (Rosenborg win 5-0 on aggregate)

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!

Your Voice
Readers Comments
10
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel