Bohs keep Champions League dream alive
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Brian Murphy was the hero for a valiant Bohemians as they kept alive their hopes of reaching the Champions League group stages with a memorable draw against Austrian champions Red Bull Salzburg in the first leg of second round qualifying at the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday night.
Having coped relatively comfortably in the opening stages on the artificial pitch in Salzburg, the Gypsies fell behind on 25 minutes when defender Milan Dudic was allowed far too much space inside the six yard box and directed a powerful header past the helpless Murphy.
However, the Bohs 'keeper came to his side's rescue on 57 minutes when he superbly saved a Marc Janko penalty kick, after Ken Oman had been harshly adjudged to have pulled back the Salzburg striker inside the box. Justice was done when Murphy flung himself to his left to keep out Janko's spot-kick.
The Austrian side were made to pay for that miss on the hour-mark when Bohs forward Jospeh Ndo equalised from close range. Killian Brennan whipped a dangerous ball to the back post and Jason Byrne got in ahead of his man to direct the ball goalwards and when the Salzburg 'keeper fumbled the ball across the six yard box Ndo was on hand to knock home from four yards for a precious away goal.
Salzburg pushed for a winner in the final half hour, but some resolute defending and a series of sublime saves from Brian Murphy secured a famous draw for Bohs and ensured that they will go into next week's second leg with their hopes of progression still in tact.
Extratime.ie man of the match: Brian Murphy - Kept his side in the game with a number of fine saves
Having coped relatively comfortably in the opening stages on the artificial pitch in Salzburg, the Gypsies fell behind on 25 minutes when defender Milan Dudic was allowed far too much space inside the six yard box and directed a powerful header past the helpless Murphy.
However, the Bohs 'keeper came to his side's rescue on 57 minutes when he superbly saved a Marc Janko penalty kick, after Ken Oman had been harshly adjudged to have pulled back the Salzburg striker inside the box. Justice was done when Murphy flung himself to his left to keep out Janko's spot-kick.
The Austrian side were made to pay for that miss on the hour-mark when Bohs forward Jospeh Ndo equalised from close range. Killian Brennan whipped a dangerous ball to the back post and Jason Byrne got in ahead of his man to direct the ball goalwards and when the Salzburg 'keeper fumbled the ball across the six yard box Ndo was on hand to knock home from four yards for a precious away goal.
Salzburg pushed for a winner in the final half hour, but some resolute defending and a series of sublime saves from Brian Murphy secured a famous draw for Bohs and ensured that they will go into next week's second leg with their hopes of progression still in tact.
Extratime.ie man of the match: Brian Murphy - Kept his side in the game with a number of fine saves
