- Dave Donnelly
- Thu, Aug 29 2024
Dave Donnelly reports from Tallaght Stadium
Magomed Ozdoev and Kiril Despodov struck midway through the second half as PAOK left it late to complete a convincing 6-0 aggregate win over Shamrock Rovers.
PAOK took advantage of a tiring Rovers defence, having dominated the game without creating many clear-cut chances, and Ozdoev and Despodov were clinical when called upon.
Ozdoev coolly stroked home the loose ball after creating a chance for Andrija Živković, which was blocked by poked back into the midfielder’s path by Živković.
And Despodov took advantage of a rare Leon Pohls error shortly after to deceive the keeper at his near post and end the game as a contest on the night.
The Greek champions march onto the league stage of the Europa League while Rovers will be in the hat for the third-tier Conference League on Friday.
Following PAOK’s 4-0 leg win in Greece, it wasn’t so much of a damp squib - the grey clouds that engulfed Tallaght mercifully failed to open up - as mild exercise for both sides.
Rovers, mindful of Sunday’s key league derby at Bohemians, made five changes with Lee Grace and Neil Farrugia rested, meaning starts for Jack Byrne and Seán Kavanagh, while PAOK made seven.
It was one of those changes, Despodov, who provided a spark all night for a PAOK side who were content to play in second gear and wait for the inevitable opportunities to appear.
The visitors had a blistering opening to the game, forcing Leon Pohls into a string of saves in the opening ten minutes.
Striker Tarik Tissouali, fresh off a goal in the win over Panetolikos at the weekend, pierced the middle of the defence and teed up Despodov but Pohls stood strong low at his near post.
From the resulting corner, Richie Towell sliced a clearance to Thomas Murg but his effort from 20 yards curled straight into the keeper’s arms.
The German made an excellent double save moments later as, following a loose pass from captain Roberto Lopes, Tissouali teed up Živković and his effort was tipped clear.
Ozdoev was first to the loose ball and looked to smash home the opener but this time Pohls was perfectly positioned to deflect the ball clear with his foot.
PAOK continued to control the game but created little of note until ten minutes from the break when Towell scythed down Živković on the edge of the box.
Despodov lined up the free kick and did brilliantly to get it up and down over the wall, and Pohls was at full-stretch to parry the ball clear.
Kavanagh forced Dominik Kotarski into his first real action as he smashed a free kick towards the top corner from the right side of the box but the keeper did brilliantly to claw it away.
PAOK should have led when Despodov found a gap down the left and pulled back for Tissouali on the penalty spot but, with the defence stretched, the striker ballooned his effort.
There was no doubt shortly after as Živković reacted first to his blocked shot and toed the ball to Ozdoev, and Kavanagh on the cover could do nothing to keep out his firm strike.
And one became two with 15 minutes remaining as Despodov was played in behind the Rovers back three and beat a flat-footed Pohls all too easily at his near post.
Graham Burke provided impetus for Rovers on his introduction with a willingness to run in behind but, aside a tame curling shot from distance, he couldn’t test the assured Kotarski.
Shamrock Rovers: Leon Pöhls; Dan Cleary, Roberto Lopes, Seán Kavanagh (Lee Grace 65); Darragh Burns (Neil Farrugia 65), Richie Towell, Gary O’Neill (Conan Noonan 65), Aaron McEneff, Cory O’Sullivan; Jack Byrne (Danny Mandroiu 65), Marc McNulty (Graham Burke 65).
Subs not used: Lee Steacy (gk), Alex Noonan (gk), Seán Hoare, Dylan Watts, Cian Dillon, Matthew Britton.
Booked: Richie Towell (35).
PAOK: Dominik Kotarski; Jonny Otto, Tomasz Kędziora, Ioannis Michailidis, Baba Rahman (Rafa Soares 76); Mady Camara, Magomed Ozdoev (Stefan Schwab 71), Thomas Murg (Taison 71); Kiril Despodov, Andrija Živković (Ioannis Konstantelias 71), Tarik Tissoudali (Fedor Chalov 71).
Subs not used: Konstantinos Balomenos (gk), Antonios Tsiftsis (gk), Konstantinos Koulierakis, Vierinha,, Joan Sastre, Konstantinos Thymianis.
Booked: Ioannis Michailidis (52).
Referee: Donatas Rumšas (Lithuania).
Attendance: 5,079 (official).
Extratime.com Player of the Match: Kiril Despodov (PAOK).
