Crushed in Bulgaria, Shamrock Rovers now want the most important of miracles in Dublin subsequent week if they’re to retain an curiosity within the Champions League for this season.
nd a sloppy injury-time objective for Ludogorets, scored by sub Igor Thiago, successfully signifies that the Champions League is now over, that deflected objective coming after a really optimistic second half from the Hoops and killing off any faint hopes of a Rovers revival.
At half time, the thought of progress for Rovers appeared like a ridiculous prospect because the Hoops had been fully outplayed, have been 2-0 down on the break with targets from Pieros Sotiriou and will have been 3-0 down just for a surprising save from keeper Alan Mannus late on within the half, the principle query being what number of extra Ludogporets would rating.
However a well-drilled Rovers regrouped, saved their form and have been very strong within the second 45 minutes, spectacular in possession with no objective menace whereas sub Graham Burke brought about some moments of nervousness for the house aspect.
With simply over 90 minutes performed, that Rovers revival had hinted that Ludogorets could possibly be weak within the second leg and a 2-0 deficit was tough to overturn although not unattainable, however Thiago popped up in added time to fireside residence and kind of seal a spot within the third spherical for Ludogorets.
Rovers had managed to get to the 26-minute mark with out conceding, regardless of lengthy spells of stress by the house aspect in Razgrad, however the sheer class of Ludogorets was sure to inform.
They usually did that on 26 minutes, a cross by Brazilian Cauly completed off by Cyprus worldwide Sotiriou, who gained his battle with Sean Hoare. And Sotiriou was there once more on 35 minutes, Cauly once more the inspiration with the fashionable end by Sotiriou after Lee Grace had cleared off the road.
Just for Mannus’ save to disclaim Cauly on 44 minutes it will have been sport over however as Ludogorets backed off within the second half, Rovers responded with some robust passages of play, although the closest they got here was a shot by Dylan Watts, which was too excessive, whereas a Graham Burke cross compelled a save from Ludogorets keeper Sergio Padt, and on 83 minutes Sean Kavanagh nearly discovered fellow sub Burke.
Rovers have been punished for slack play in added time as Lee Grace tried to play the ball out however Ludogorets pounced and Thiago’s shot went in off a Rovers defender.
Stephen Bradley’s aspect are assured 4 extra ties in Europe even when they go away the Champions League however progress now seems to be to be past their grasp.
Ludogorets: Padt; Cicinho, Verdon, Plastun, Nedyalkov; Cauly, Santana, Cafumana; Rick (Delev 77), Sotiriou (Thiago 89), Tekpetey (Despodov 71).
Shamrock Rovers: Mannus; Lopes, Grace, Hoare; Finn (Gannon 75), McCann, O’Neill, Lyons; Towell (Kavanagh 78), Watts (Burke 60); Gaffney.
Referee: J Pinheiro (Portugal).
