A bridge too far
It yielded three exceptional goals before an estimated 25,000 spectators in the Riazor Stadium last night.
Shelbourne’s performance deserved a less harsh return on the scoreboard after a contest that was absorbing and instructive. The overall merit of their contribution to the Champions’ League qualifying series, however, was undermined by two dismissals.
Manager Pat Fenlon was sent from the touchline in the 75th minute by the Luxembourg referee as he protested at Deportivo’s persistent habit of going to ground too readily. And midfielder Alan Moore was dismissed in the 90th minute when a foul on Andrade led to his second yellow card.
Such indiscipline was unfortunate, for, in the strict football sense, Shelbourne brought credit on themselves and on the eircom League with a genuinely gutsy performance. And while the obvious superiority of a polished and capable Deportivo side was graphically illustrated by their three outstanding second-half goals, Shels were always competitive, always proactive and ambitious.
They were particularly impressive in the opening 45 minutes when Deportivo seemed seduced by the showbiz element of the Champions’ League. There are grounds for believing that some of the competition’s most celebrated stars regard themselves more as entertainers than footballers. Their reported salaries sustain the misconception that they are character actors in a never-ending serial rather than sportsmen.
Deportivo were not enamoured of the physical intensity of the contest. Their over-reaction to virtually every challenge bespoke an arrogant assumption that Shelbourne were there to facilitate a Spanish exhibition of football’s finer skills.
Shels were well aware of the volatile characteristics of several of Deportivo’s stars from the first leg. In consequence they strove to accent the competitive element and eliminate any attempt at showboating at every opportunity.
They did so with courage, discipline and hard work. Their concentration levels were sharp and sustained.
Their appreciation of the need to maintain defensive solidarity was acute and they quickly succeeded in knocking the shine off a Deportivo side who twice threatened to beat goalkeeper Steve Williams in the opening seven minutes.
The goalkeeper played his part to perfection as he denied Valeron from 22 yards in the third minute. He then foiled a better effort from Luque after a sparkling piece of football that saw Valeron show his class as he and Romero combined to set Luque up from 18 yards.
Shelbourne’s willingness to contest possession and make every inch of the pitch a battleground helped them stifle the early flow of Deportivo attacks. The tempo of the game dropped as a result and Shelbourne grew more comfortable by the minute.
Their sense of security enabled them expand their game to the point where they ripped open the right flank of Deportivo’s defence to threaten a goal in the 25th minute.
Dave Crawley strode out of defence to link with Ollie Cahill and he raced on to whip the return pass to the far post where Jason Byrne should have profited to a greater extent with his header.
While Shelbourne’s resolute application to the game plan led to several bookings, it was clear Deportivo’s discomfort was not exclusively physical. They knew at the break they had a match on their hands.
The difference in the second-half was the step-up in tempo of Deportivo’s game. The gifted Valeron showed his class despite Stuart Byrne’s close attentions and the busy Sergio complemented his work effectively. They provoked a more urgent response from Victor, Pandiani and Luque, all three of whom had looked well below par in the opening half.
Shelbourne came under increasing pressure yet they remained secure until a disastrous error by Wes Hoolahan in the 59th minute. He misplaced a pass in midfield and Sergio sent Victor racing clear for 35 yards before he ripped a shot past Williams.
Deportivo’s second was quite exceptional. It came in the 66th minute when Victor stepped away from Crawley’s tackle. The winger sprinted briefly before exploding a shot high into Williams’ net from 35 yards for a goal fit to grace any occasion.
Shelbourne should have cut the deficit when a mis-placed header by Caesar left Jason Byrne inthe clear in the 80th minute but the centre-forward pulled his shirt over his head in embarrassment after lifting the ball over an empty goal with Molina stranded.
Byrne’s gesture reflected Shelbourne's overall disappointment as Pandiani produced another classic goal from a 25 yards free-kick in the 88th minute.
Molina; Manuel Pablo (Scaloni 68), Cesar, Andrade, Romero; Victor, Sergio, Mauro Silva (Duscher 46), Valeron, Luque (Luque 77); Pandiani.
Williams; Heary, Harris, Rogers, Crawley; Ndo, Stuart Byrne, Moore, Hoolahan (Crawford 68), Cahill; Jason Byrne.
A. Hamer (Luxembourg).
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