HAVING RECENTLY WRAPPED up a third consecutive SSE Airtricity League Premier Division title, Dundalk make the trip to St Petersburg to face the Group D leaders in freezing conditions this evening.
The Lilywhites, who were unlucky to lose 2-1 to Zenit at Tallaght Stadium two weeks ago, play tonight’s fixture before jetting back to Ireland for this Sunday’s FAI Cup final against Cork City at the Aviva Stadium.
The’re aiming to be the first Irish club to make the knockout stages of the competition and sit second on four points from three matches — with Zenit top on nine. The group’s other clubs, Maccabi Tel Aviv and AZ Alkmarr, face off in Israel.
Kick off in both games is 6pm.
Here are the teams:
Zenit: Kerzhakov; Anyukov, Criscito, Lombaerts, Giuliano, Mauricio, Kokorin, Kerzhakov, Neto, Shatov, Witsel.
Dundalk: Rogers; Gannon, Gartland, Boyle, Massey; Mountney, Shields, Finn, McEleney, Horgan; McMillan.
Andy Boyle and Daryl Horgan, both named in Ireland’s senior squad for the first time yesterday, both start for the visitors.
The game is live on eir Sport tonight, for those wondering:
The teams are out and there’s a light snow falling at the Petrovsky Stadium.
KICK-OFF – Here we go. Dundalk, in all black, get us underway against the home side — wearing all white with a blue trim.
Good start from Dundalk. They build up an attack patiently and McMillan slots in Mountney. The ball is blocked and Zenit win a free out from McMillan’s aerial challenge.
Criscito is down holding his face after a promising break from Dundalk. Chris Shields, who picked up SWAI/SSE Airtricity League Player of the Month for October this week, shows a turn of pace to advance from midfield, then threads through Mountney.
Italian full-back Criscito make a challenge and is caught by a trailing leg in the face.
“I think somebody might have hit him with a snowball, Des,” says Brian Kerr on eir Sport. “Is that what happened?”
WOODWORK! A cross from Mountney goes over the head of Zenit goalkeeper Kerzhakov and strikes the post before coming back into play.
Zenit hit back and Kerzhakov’s goalbound effort is blocked by the head of Boyle. Dundalk weather the storm.
Kerzhakov’s super ball allows Kokorin in, but Boyle does brilliantly to get his body in the way and allow Rogers to collect.
Dundalk have a shot on goal through Horgan, who finds a bit of space and drives the ball straight at Kerzhakov.
A cross makes it way to Kerzhakov and the striker connects with the volley but it’s no trouble for Rogers.
Seconds later, a Shatov strike comes off Massey and goes out.
THAT’S A LET-OFF – It opens up for Giuliano and he opts to cut inside before having a shot, but Rogers anticipates well and gets down to save.
Zenit should be one up.
Some last-ditch defending from Dundalk here. The visitors throw bodies on the line as Zenit players line up to have a strike and eventually they snuff out the danger.
Dundalk go down the other end and great play by McEleney wins them a corner.
GOAL! Zenit St Petersburg 1-0 Dundalk (Giuliano)
Oh dear. Dundalk are behind and they only have themselves to blame. Gartland passes to Shields in a crowded midfield and slips up after receiving it back.
Kerzhakov nips in and plays his Brazilian team-mate, who makes no mistake.
YELLOW CARD – Finn puts his arm across Criscito, who goes down very easily.
Half-time: Zenit St Petersburg 1-0 Dundalk
The goal that separates the sides…
SECOND HALF — And Dundalk have made a change, with captain Stephen O’Donnell on for Mountney.
OFFSIDE – McEleney flicks a header onto Horgan and he looks to be in, but the lineman’s flag goes up.
GOAL! Zenit St Petersburg 1-1 Dundalk (Daryl Horgan)
GET IN! Horgan breaks all alone from midfield and gets in behind the Zenit backline before coolly slotting past Kerzhakov.
Wonderful goal from a smashing footballer.
Here’s the equaliser. Stephen Kenny certainly enjoyed it!
SAVE! Rogers has to get down well to make a save and Dundalk are under the cosh a bit here.
Kenny has brought on Ciaran Kilduff, a hero from the bench on a number of occasions this season, with McMillan heading off.
Crucial interception from O’Donnell, who denies Kokorin a goalscoring opportunity after Giuliano’s pass.
BOOKING – Gartland goes into the book after conceding a free-kick out wide. The set-piece is floated in and Gannon gets the slightest of touches to clear.
GOAL! Zenit St Petersburg 2-1 Dundalk (Giuliano)
The home side’s one-goal advantage is restored through a really scrappy goal. A shot is only half-clear and Mauricio puts the ball back across for Giuliano to bundle home his second of the night.
Cruel on the visitors.
OFF THE BAR – McEleney spots the keeper off his line and strikes the crossbar with his attempt. So close.
That’s the last of his action as the former Derry City man has been replaced by Dean Shiels.
Free-kick to Dundalk in a really promising area as Lombaerts catches Shields…
It’s Horgan to take, but his effort hits the ball before being booted clear.
CAUTION – O’Donnell is into the book for a late challenge, and former Chelsee defender Yuri Zhirkov is on in place of Lombaerts.
Three minutes of added time announced as Dundalk push for an equaliser.
Full-time: Zenit St Petersburg 2-1 Dundalk
Another outstanding European display by the Lilywhites, although they didn’t get the result.
A 0-0 draw between Maccabi Tel Aviv and AZ Alkmaar means Dundalk remaining second — level on four points with Maccabi.
Dundalk play AZ next in Tallaght on 24 November before a trip to Israel on 8 December.
Attentions now turn to this weekend’s FAI Cup final with Cork City, however.
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