Uefa Champions League second round, first leg
Ararat-Armenia
Shamrock Rovers
A disappointed and disappointing Shamrock Rovers will need to dig deep and repeat their feat in the last round of the Champions League, overturning a 2-0 deficit from the away leg, if they are to stay in the competition for another round at least.
The Hoops knew their second-round test away to a well-funded Ararat-Armenia would be up a level from their clash with Maltese champions Floriana, where Rovers turned around a 2-0 first-leg loss to win comfortably at home and go through.
While the first goal conceded by Rovers away to Ararat-Armenia was a self-inflicted wound, Brazilian journeyman Sandro Lima scoring one of the easiest goals of his career after a dreadful error from Rovers captain Lee Grace, the second was a classy effort by the Armenians. Sub Zidane Banjaqui produced a stunning finish his French namesake would have been proud of.
Rovers have a strong record at home in Europe, so the tie is not beyond them, but the lack of a cutting edge showed as Aaron Greene didn’t make the most of his first-half opportunities.
Ararat-Armenia grew in confidence after the break and put Rovers to the sword, suggesting they have more in the tank for the away leg, with the winners progressing to play opposition from Albania or Slovenia.
The Armenians had been slow starters in the competition so far, and they offered little in attack in a cagey first half against Rovers, with Ed McGinty in the Rovers goal an observer for long spells.
Rovers, as a club historically and as a group in more recent times, have a lot more experience in Uefa competition — and it showed, as they were comfortable enough, holding possession for spells although not really troubling Ararat’s Brazilian goalkeeper.
Rovers first came up with an attack on 16 minutes. Jack Byrne delivered a good ball into the area but Armenian international defender Kamo Hovhannisyan cleared it.
A minute later, patient work by Rovers led to a chance for Greene, who ended up in a one-on-one situation with goalkeeper Bravim, but a free out was the outcome.
Then on 18 minutes, Bravim saved at the feet of Adam Brennan.
Rovers could have edged in front on 32 minutes after Greene timed his run to meet an insightful pass from Grace, but when faced with Bravim, it was the Brazilian who came out on top.
Rovers came to regret not making more of the slow start from the hosts as it took Ararat just six minutes after the restart to go ahead.
It was an awful goal from a Rovers viewpoint as Grace was not under pressure when he collected a pass from Pico Lopes, but Grace played it to the feet of Lima, the much-travelled 35-year-old from Brazil who scored with ease.
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That sucked the confidence from Rovers, who offered only bits and pieces in response, like a cross in to Greene from Brennan on 53 minutes that was cleared for a corner. Grace had a headed effort from that corner and then a shot from sub Jonathan Afolabi that wasn’t accurate enough.
The home side looked happy with the 1-0 lead but doubled it on 80 minutes.
A mis-hit pass from Tunmise Sobowale gave Ararat a throw-in close to their own goal line. They worked the ball up the line as Sobowale was out of position, and when Franca crossed, his fellow sub Banjaqui blasted home with a stunning finish.
Rovers had one more threat, Afolabi latching on to a long ball from Dylan Watts, but his lob was well wide of the target.
Rovers now need to regroup, hoping that a fit-again John McGovern can offer more to their attack at home.
Teams
ARARAT-ARMENIA: Bravim; Hovanissyan (Felipe 76), Wilson, Beuno, Pereira; Tera (Banjaqui 65), Muradyan, Oliveira; Serobyan (Ayongo 76), Lima, Shagoyan (Franca 65).
SHAMROCK ROVERS: McGinty; C O’Sullivan, Lopes, Grace (O’Regan 66); Sobowale, Watts, Healy, Brennan (Mulraney 66); Burke, Byrne (Razi 91); Greene (Afolabi 66).
REF: D Dickinson (Scotland)
