After last week’s jubilation in Liechtenstein’s capital, the focus shifts back to football and the second leg of this crucial tie as the Swifts hope to swap celebrations in the main square in Vaduz to the square in Dungannon with passage to the third qualifying round of the Conference League.
However, it’s only half time, and the Swifts will have to overcome an extremely strong Vaduz side once again.
Post-match in the Rheinpark Stadion, manager Rodney described Vaduz as “a very good team, they play good football, they get into good areas”.
Last week’s game started slowly for the Swifts, but the defence stood strong to keep the Vaduz attackers out of the game. Post-match, Rodney discussed the slow start, saying,“I’m not sure whether it was nerves, I think it was more eagerness.” After this, the away side grew into the game, and had the best chance of the half on 39 minutes, when Tiernan Kelly played through fellow new signing Sean McAllister, who struck the outside of the post.
The second half again witnessed some wayward shooting from Vaduz and resolute defending from the Swifts, but the moment of the half came in the 54th minute. A Vaduz corner found the head of Andrew Mitchell, which then landed in the feet of Dantas Fernandes. Kealan Dillon capitalised on a poor touch from the Vaduz playmaker and sent the ball up the pitch to McAllister, who took it down, noticed the goalkeeper out of his area, and scored from forty yards. This turned out to be the decisive moment, and the Swifts travelled back home with a one goal advantage.
“I don’t know how to sum it up right now to be honest. I just remember flicking it down with my head, and I just saw the keeper off his line, and I just thought I may as well go for it,” said the goal scorer post-match.
Since jetting back down in Dublin last Friday morning, the Swifts were involved in a 0-0 draw with Championship side Institute with a team featuring largely those on the bench last Thursday night.
However, there has been more action on and off the pitch over in Vaduz. The Liechtenstein side began their league campaign last Sunday with a 2-1 win against Swiss side Yverdon Sport at home. The result leaves them top of the Swiss second division at this very early stage.
Star player Fabrizio Cavegn was left on the bench, amid speculation about a transfer. He was also the first Vaduz player to be withdrawn from action last Thursday.
The Swifts come into this tie in the almost the same way they arrived in the first leg. It is still unclear whether new signing Darragh McBrien will be ruled out for this leg, after picking up a knock in a friendly against his boyhood club Ballinamallard United two weeks ago, forcing his absence last week. Fellow new signing, Mal Smith will return to the action, having missed last week’s first leg as well.
Thursday’s game will be played on an unfamiliar 4G surface for FC Vaduz, with Solitude’s pitch also a similar size to Stangmore, so the Swifts will feel like they are at home. “It is somewhere where we played quite well last season, so it’s a pitch and a ground that suits how we want to do things,” said Rodney.
Last Thursday, Bigi played his first competitive game as the official captain of Dungannon Swifts. It was also his fifteenth game in a European competition, bringing some vital experience to the pitch.
Despite playing a in a more defensive manner than usual, Rodney said: “It’s not a system I overly enjoy. I’m not a fan of three at the back, and whether we set ourselves up like that or not again, I’m not so sure, we’ll have a look at it again.”
We know it’s going to be extremely difficult. We saw in the first fifteen, twenty minutes of the game in Vaduz that they’re an exceptional side, with good players, they play a very attractive style, and they can cause you a lot of problems,” said Rodney regarding the opposition.
All roads lead to Solitude tonight, so make sure you get your tickets and give all the team all the support they deserve. Up the Swifts!