John Caulfield: No Euro crisis yet
Despite being outplayed for a lot of last night’s encounter, Cork boss John Caulfield is still confident his side can win next Thursday night in the Icelandic capital but they will have to up their game considerably from this effort where they never really got going.
“I said before the game this tie could do right down to the wire and I still think the same,” said Caulfield.
“They’re obviously favourites now but I think there’s a lot more in us next week. The game is a long way from over and I fancy our chances of scoring next week,” said the City boss.
KR did look suspect at times on crosses into the box and under the high ball and Cork will look to take advantage of this next week when they know they have to score to have any chance of setting up a money-spinning second round clash with Norwegian giants Rosenborg.
Having enjoyed a host of European nights as a player, Caulfield was sampling his first as a manager last night. And the City boss made two changes to the side that won at The Brandywell last time out, with John O’Flynn getting the nod over Mark O’Sullivan and the experienced Colin Healy returning the side as Dan Murray made way.
KR qualified for the Europa League by finishing third in the Icelandic premier division last season and manager Bjarni Gudjonsson, who had four seasons at Stoke City as a player had a full strength squad to choose from.
The visitors started the brighter with Hauksson shooting over early on before the silky skilled Jacob Schoop was allowed too much time to cut inside from the right before shooting narrowly wide.
City were back in European action after a seven-year absence and it took until the 17th minute for the KR goal to come under threat when Karl Sheppard headed wide from a Kevin O’Connor cross.
The opening goal did arrive two minutes later when Billy Dennehy clipped a ball into the box from just inside the KR half and Alan Bennett couldn’t believe his luck when he found himself free on the penalty spot to glance a header past Stefan Magnusson.
The goal came somewhat against the run of play as the Icelandic side, who only went down 1-0 to Celtic in Reykjavik in last season’s Champions League qualifier, looked the brighter of the two sides and were bossing the midfield.
Before the game, Caulfield warned his players against the danger posed by the visitors from set-pieces and McNulty had to be alert to tip Fridgeirsson’s header from a corner over in the 27th minute.
Also, that was one of the most blatant penalties I've ever seen, yet the referee didn't give it. He was right in front of it. Baffling.
— RedFM Sport (@BigRedBench) July 2, 2015
The home side didn’t heed the warning and from the resultant corner kick from Schoop, Hauksson powered home a header to make it 1-1 and more gain the invaluable away goal.
City were affording the visitors far too much time and space on the ball now and Palmasson went close before Hauksson shot narrowly wide as KR could sense a second goal.
The home crowd were getting restless as City were getting the run around.
Almar Ormarsson almost made it two in first-half injury-time when he was allowed advance before shooting from the edge of the box and McNulty had to push to ball around his post.
Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane was an interested spectator and having stated that it would take a lot for any League of Ireland player to force their way into the international set-up – nothing that was on offer last night would have changed his mind.
Johnny Dunleavy was returning from injury and he came on at half-time as City looked to start the second half on the front foot.
O’Flynn came close a few seconds in but his shot from 10 yards was well blocked by Gunnar Gunnarsson. That was the last effort O’Flynn had as he was replaced by Mark O’Sullivan.
Top scorer Sheppard did have the ball in the net in the 71st minute but he had fouled keeper Magnusson in doing so and a minute later Magnusson made a good save to beat away Billy Dennehy’s rasping volley as City looked to take an advantage to Iceland next week.
O’Sullivan headed over 13 minutes from time before City had legitimate claims for a penalty turned down when the same player was clumsily bundled over in the box by Fridgeirsson but Danish referee Mads-Kristoffer Kristoffersson waved play on. And the same player was unlucky to see his looping header drift over in injury time as City had to settle for a draw.
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