Champions League Report: Dundalk 0-0 BATE Borisov

A gallant performance from Dundalk succeeded in keeping BATE Borisov at bay in Oriel Park, but the exertion was ultimately in vain as the 0-0 scoreline was enough for the Belarusian outfit to progress to the next round of Champions League qualification at the expense of their hosts.

This was technically Dundalk’s first ever home game in the modern-day Champions League. The Lilywhites previously appeared in the old European Cup and despite their title win in 1995, they missed out on competing in the 95/96 Champions League due to a UEFA rule which only admitted teams from the top 24 nations to the competition.

A sizable and raucous crowd packed Oriel Park early and by kick-off they were throwing their support behind their team with force – every chance and every pass was cheered and hissed at with an abundance of decibels.

While Stephen Kenny's side dominated the opening 45 minutes of the first-leg and enjoyed the majority of possession in the Borisov Arena, this was not the case here. After a cagey start from both sides, BATE were the first to settle and indeed enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and opportunities in the first-half.

In the 13^th minute Dundalk were almost undone by Igor Stasevic who curled his shot just wide after a cutback from Filip Mladenovic evaded the entire Dundalk backline. The Oriel crowd barely had time to catch their breath before Mikhail Gordeichuk’s chipped shot caught goalkeeper Gary Rogers out only to sail over the bar.

However, Dundalk did grow into the game. They enjoyed a spirited and frantic spell which began with David McMillan releasing Richie Towell on the edge of the box who almost nipped through.

This pressure continued when Brian Gartland managed a header goalwards in what was looking like a rattled BATE defence. This almost yielded a crucial goal when McMillan twisted his way into some space at the edge of the box only to see his shot saved.

Dundalk were brought back to earth immediately after McMillan’s chance when it took an excellent stop by Rogers to deny Mladenovic from a free-kick.

The home side tightened things up and although they didn’t create anything noteworthy by way of chances in the first-half, they did restrict BATE to efforts from distance – the exception being a fine pass from Ilya Aleksievich which freed the elusive Stasevich in the box to rattle the crossbar on the stroke of half-time.

The Yellow-Blues may have closed out the half on top, but at 0-0 a single home goal would still have been enough to see the visitors eliminated. However, in much the same way BATE realised with a start that they were in for a tough game in Borisov, with every passing minute here Dundalk knew that they would have to produce something special to usurp their pedigree opposition.

The second-half was more of the same: BATE asked many question of Dundalk’s defence but couldn’t find the away goal that would seal the tie. They came close in the 71^st minute when substitute Nemanaja Nikolic cut inside Dane Massey to sky a shot from ten yards.

BATE skipper Vitali Rodionov – who controversially evaded a ban for this match after seemingly headbutting Massey at the end of the first-leg – found himself bearing down on Rogers on a number of occasions only to be dispossessed by a retreating white shirt.

As with the first-half, Dundalk did have a spell. They pressed with gut-busting determination over the course of the final 20 minutes, but this coupled with a very physical approach from BATE – which at times lead to Dundalk players berating Greek referee Stavros Tritsonis for his lenient approach – really jaded the Louth side. Kenny emptied his bench and Chris Sheilds, John Mountney and Kurtis Byrne all entered the fray to provide fresh legs.

Chances came with ten minutes to go. BATE, who were unable to convert their dominance into goals, seemed to become skittish towards the end as Dundalk piled on the pressure, but despite knocking dangerous balls down around the area the home side just couldn’t get their shots away. BATE looked good to keep the game scoreless, but there were obvious signs of relief when the referee signalled the end of the three added minutes.

For Dundalk it spells the end of their European adventure and activates a domestic fixture against title rivals Cork City this Sunday at 6pm in Oriel. Kenny has an ambitious and able group of players who will be hurt by not progressing, but there are positives here for the Lilywhites and for the league in general.

The current champions arguably got the toughest possible draw in the form of BATE, who have played in the group stages of European competition five of the last seven seasons, and over two legs Dundalk were competitive and, at times, dominant against more experienced opposition. There was to be no upset in Oriel, but there will remain the memory of a gallant European performance.

Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey; Richie Towell, Stephen O’Donnell; Darren Meenan (Chris Shields, 56), Ronan Finn (John Mountney, 76), Daryl Horgan (Kurtis Byrne, 82); David McMillan.

Subs not used: Gabriel Sava, Shane Grimes, Paddy Barrett, Jake Kelly.

Booked: Meenan (22), Gartland (66), Finn (75), Massey (88), Byrne (90+4).

BATE Borisov: Sergei Chernik; Maksim Zhavnerchik, Kaspars Dubra, Nemanja Milunovic, Filip Mladenovic; Aleksandr Karnitski (Nikolai Signevich, 90+1), Dmitri Baga, Mikhail Gordeichuk (Aleksei Rios, 85), Igor Stasevich, Ilya Aleksievich (Nemanja Nikolic, 68), Vitali Ridionov.

Subs not used: Artem Soroko, Vitali Gaiduchik, Evgeni Yablonski, Maksim Volodko.

Booked: Mladenovic (22), Baga (23), Rios (90+1).

Referee: Stavros Tritsonis (Greece).

Attendance: 3,300.

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Stephen O’ Donnell.