YES WAY , JOSE!
Mourinho calls after thrilling win
JOSE MOURINHO was amongst the first to congratulate Vinny Perth with a phone call after his Dundalk side came through a nervy shootout against Riga FC in Skonto Stadium last night to book a Champions League second qualifying round tie against Qarabag next week.
The former Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid manager is close to ex-Sky Sports reporter Andy Burton, now involved with Dundalk, and rang Perth to express his admiration after a night of drama in Riga.
‘Jose just rang, I was a bit emotional and then that added to it because he’s a hero of mine,’ said Perth.
After failing to score over 210 minutes in either leg, the Lilywhites had goalkeeper Gary Rogers to thank as he pulled off two saves in the shootout before Sean Hoare scored the decisive spot kick to help Dundalk advance 5-4 on penalties.
The win means the US-owned outfit will bank at least €1.2million from Europe this season, with the knowledge that they will be seeded for the third qualifying round of the Europa League even if they lose to the Azerbaijani champions.
Afterwards Perth admitted the pressure of what was at stake may have affected his side.
‘I’m very emotional because I
do know this management set-up was questioned.
‘This was a big game for us. It means we have at least six games in Europe to test ourselves and show what we’re about.’
The SSE Airtricity League leaders started nervously with Rogers twice having to be sharp off his line in the opening few minutes as Mihail Konevs’ side looked for an early breakthrough.
The visitors soon settled and Patrick McEleney was unlucky not to give his side the lead on the half-hour mark. John Mountney’s corner was headed clear to him at the edge of the area with the Derry man meeting the dropping ball sweetly on the volley only for Ozols to spring to his left to somehow keep it out.
McEleney would also go close twice in quick succession after that, firstly drilling wide from 25 yards out before firing a free kick over the wall straight into the arms of Ozols. The Lilywhites did have a let-off a minute before the break, however, when Robbie Benson coughed up possession cheaply to Roman Debelko who curled a shot inches wide.
Dundalk thought they had found the breakthrough on 65 minutes when Patrick Hoban headed in from a Chris Shields ball but he was ruled offside.
The Lilywhites then had a major let-off on 73 minutes when a short corner found Armands Petersons. His delivery picked out Debelko unmarked but the striker couldn’t direct his header on target. The home side then had a penalty appeal waved away four minutes later. Visnakovs beat Dane Massey on the left with his cross hitting the sliding McEleney on the arm but once again the referee waved away protests.
The tension continued into extra-time with Rogers having to save from Debelko before Daniel Kelly was denied by Ozols. A key moment came on 110 minutes when Hoare made a stunning block from Debelko before Massey was closelined by Prenga, who was shown a second yellow card.
The only clear cut chance after that came when Sean Murray whistled a long range effort wide. Penalties then ensued with both sides scoring their first three each before Felipe Brisola skied one over for Riga.
Dane Massey then had his effort saved by Ozols before Stefan Panic was denied by Rogers. Georgie Kelly had a chance to win it but he too was denied by the Latvian keeper.
Dennis Rakels and Jamie McGrath then scored the first kicks of sudden death before Rogers saved from Armands Petersons, allowing Hoare to step up to score the winner. RIGA FC: Ozols; Petersons, Cernomordijs, Prenga, Rugins; Visnakovs (Gabovs 106), Saric, Laizans (Panic 81), Bopesu (Rakels 52); Roger (Brisola 51); Debelko. Subs not used: Uvarenko, Bilinski, Stuglis. DUNDALK: Rogers; Gannon, Cleary, Hoare, Massey; Shields (Jarvis 99), Benson (D Kelly 81); Mountney (Murray 65), McGrath, McEleney (G Kelly 111); Hoban. Subs not used: McCarey, Gartland, Cleary. Referee: D Meckarovski (Macedonia).