St Pat's must seize control against 'unusual' Sabah FK

Midfielder Romal Palmer, influential in the win over Vaduz in the last round, has been passed fit following a knock while new signing Aidan Keena is available having been ineligible in the last round.

Thu, 08 Aug, 2024 - 07:10

Paul Buttner

Stephen Kenny knows his St Patrick's players must raise their levels and seize control of tonight’s Conference League third round first leg against Azerbaijani side Sabah FK at Tallaght Stadium.

Only then will they give themselves a chance of progressing to the play-off round.

While they have shown their resolve in twice coming from behind in each of their last two games, St Pat's must be better defensively against a vibrant attacking side which scored six times in a roller coaster second round victory, eventually on penalties, over Maccabi Haifa.

“The players did brilliantly in the last round to score five goals,” acknowledged manager Kenny of their 5-3 aggregate win over FC Vaduz.

“It's quite unusual for a (Irish) team to score five goals in Europe in the way we did. Five excellent goals, really high class goals, to be honest.

“The three we conceded (over the tie) were two deflected efforts and a penalty.

“We had to work hard for our goals and the players did brilliantly. We now have to take that into tonight’s game.

“We were eighth in the league and we are now seventh for a reason.

“We’re not perfect, but you can see the emergence of certain players and you can see the team growing now.

“It was a tough game (3-2 win over Sligo Rovers on Sunday) coming back from the European game on Thursday night. To play a tough away game and then to play Sligo.

“We came back twice in the European game to draw and came back twice against Sligo and then got a winner.

“These are traits that we want ingrained in the psyche of the team. You would have an aspiration for that. You would want that, but it's not always easily attainable.

“It's something that is a critical characteristic of successful teams. Thankfully we are grasping that aspect of it and that's important for us."

Founded as recently as 2017, well financed Sabah have a multicultural squad with this only their second time in Europe.

“They have two components of their team. They have an Italian type defensive back four yet they have three/four forwards. It's unusual,” explained Kenny.

“I think for us we have to try to establish control in the game. That's what I would look to do.

“We've got to find the space to do that and establish some control and we'll see after that.

“In terms of defending. We won't be set up defensively. Obviously, when you are playing very good teams they can often put you on the back foot because of their good play and you end up in a defensive shape.

“I'm sure there will be times when that will be the case, but we won't be set up in a defensive way.

“It's important for us to always carry an attacking threat.”

Kenny spoke after the last round’s first leg at Richmond Park at how his team had fed off the energy of the crowd and he wants more of the same tonight, if in a bigger, more expansive ground.

“We would love any supporters of Irish football to come along tomorrow night,” said Kenny.

“This is my first time since it’s a four-sided ground, I’ve obviously been here with the Under-21 team and Dundalk, when we played here in the Europa League.

“So, we’re looking forward to it, it’s a huge incentive for the players.

“European moments are pivotal in a career, and European games are something they reflect on in a major way.

“It’s something really special in a player’s career, so we’ll see.

“We’ve a lot of work to do tonight. It will be a really, really tough game, but we’ve got to believe in ourselves.”