Champions League Report: FH Hafnarfjordur 2-2 Dundalk FC

Dundalk FC secured their place in the third qualification round of the UEFA Champions League thanks to an incredible second-half brace from David McMillan. The Lilywhites became the first League of Ireland club to progress to this stage since 2011 as their away goals proved crucial after the tie ended 3-3 on aggregate.

Stephen Kenny’s men endured a difficult first period with Englishman Sam Hewson putting the hosts in front with an excellent side footed finish after 18 minutes.

The Lilywhites emerged for the fourth half of the tie with vigour and purpose and two David McMillan strikes in the space of a steadfast ten-minute spell fired Dundalk into an overall lead.

FH introduced Kristjan Floki Finnbogason during their baron spell and the substitute combined with ex-Dundalk man Steven Lennon to give us a grand-stand finish. Dundalk were destined to hold-out though and they’ll now seek to avenge last year’s defeat by BATE Borisov in next week’s third round encounter.

The opening ten minutes, like last week’s first leg, was dominated by the home side. In this case, FH were putting on display their technical excellence in central areas. Emil Palsson, star of their show in Oriel Park last Wednesday, was omnipresent. The Icelandic international was on hand on every occasion that a white FH shirt appeared in need, passing and moving.

Indeed, Palsson was the man who came closest to breaking the deadlock in the opening quarter-of-an-hour. Dane Massey struck a horrendous lateral pass on half-way which Steven Lennon picked up for FH and after beating three defenders, the Scotsman crossed for Palsson, whose acrobatic effort flew into the side netting.

A goal soon arrived, and it was at the expense of the static Dundalk defence. Sam Hewson, deputising for Atli Gudnason, passed to Thorainn Valdimarsson down the left flank alongside the travelling Irish patrons.

Valdimarsson then played a shrewd first-time pass to Lennon on the edge of the box. He in turn laid a scrumptious cushion pass to a rampaging Hewson, and as Barrett and Andy Boyle watched, Hewson finished calmly past Gary Rogers to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

Stephen Kenny’s men didn’t lie down though. Daryl Horgan had a glorious chance to level matters, only for Faroe Islands international Gunnar Nielsen to foil the Galwayman. His fellow Galweigan and Dundalk captain Stephen O’Donnell was getting on top as the game opened up. FH were also looking menacing in attacking areas, Brian Gartland’s absence was glaring.

Dundalk introduced Robbie Benson for the second-half and his impact was immediate as he forced an early corner and from Finn’s delivery, the Lilywhites were awarded a penalty. Paddy Barrett hit the deck having been involved in dubious tussles with Bjarni Vidarsson.

Ronan Finn stepped up, however, the number 10 saw his 12-yarded effort saved superbly by Nielsen to the keeper’s right. Dundalk didn’t have to wait long for their equaliser though.

David McMillan with his first meaningful kick of the match struck wonderfully to the bottom left-hand corner from 30-yards. He was the beneficiary of a lucky deflection which directed the ball into his path but it was evident that the visitors now believed.

They were enjoying a very energetic opening to the second-half. Their swash-buckling attacking style was leaving a beleaguered FH in their wake. Benson and O’Donnell were the architects as the front four offered movement and desire in offence.

The most incredible come back was complete 61 minutes into the affair. As ever Dane Massey and Horgan were symbiotic down the left-wing.

Horgan ran onto the full-back’s lofted pass and cut in from the by-line to centre a precise pass for the irresistible David McMillan. He wrote his name into the history books by registering his third Champions League goal for Dundalk, 2-1, and the Lilywhites were rampant.

Dundalk’s display in the opening part of the second period will surely be classed as the most impressive of the trophy-laden Kenny era. Their purpose in attack, organisation in defence, distribution in offensive areas along with their burning desire to progress was incredible.

The decision to introduce Robbie Benson alongside O’Donnell proved to be a masterstroke by Kenny with the ex-UCD captain acting as a dynamic bodyguard to their often exposed back-four as well as setting the Lilywhites into countless attacks with his clever passing.

However, from minute 70 to the end, Dundalk sat back and invited pressure. Hewson blasted over before substitute Kristjan Floki Finnbogason stole in behind Andy Boyle and levelled the tie from an acute angle with Steven Lennon providing the assist. 2-2 and Dundalk had a 13 minutes to hang on.

Nerves were decimating Dundalk in defence, or so it seemed. A myriad of FH set-plays built the home crowd up a head of steam as all in Dundalk watching the game on TV no doubt peered nervously at the events in Northern Europe from behind their sofa.

Goal mouth scrambles continued to ensue as the clock stroked to 90, penalty claims and a marauding Gary Rogers did little to settle the frantic nature of the closing minutes. The Lilywhites though held firm and recorded their most famous European triumph in recent history.

FH Hafnarfjordur: Gunnar Nielsen; Jonathan Hendrickx, Kassim Doumbia, Bergsveinn Olafsson, Bodvar Boovarsson; Bjarni Vidarsson (Kristjan Floki Finnbogason 66), David Vidarsson ©, Emil Palsson (Petur Vidarsson 66); Sam Hewson (Atli Bjornsson 77), Steven Lennon, Thorainn Valdimarsson.

Subs not used: Kristjan Finnbogason (gk), Ragnar Nattestad, Jeremy Serwy, Brynar Gudmundsson, Petur Vidarsson, Kristjan Floki Finnbogason.

Booked: Sam Hewson (41), Emil Palsson (47).

Dundalk FC: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon, Paddy Barrett, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey; John Mountney (Robbie Benson 46), Ronan Finn, Stephen O’Donnell ©, Patrick McEleney (Chris Shields 79), Daryl Horgan; David McMillan (Ciaran Kilduff 82).

Subs not used: Gabriel Sava (gk), Shane Grimes, Darren Meenan, Michael O’Connor.

Booked: Stephen O’Donnell (64)

Referee: Paolo Valeri (Italy)

Attendance: 2000 (estimate)

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: David McMillan (Dundalk FC)