Shamrock Rovers record sensational victory in Portugal to close in on another European group adventure

Uefa Conference League play-offs: Santa Clara 1, Shamrock Rovers 2

In the quirky backdrop of an open-air stadium 2,300km from home, Shamrock Rovers secured a result that could turn a memorable trip into the start of a historic journey.

Stephen Bradley’s side showed maturity in the Azores to come from behind and win against a Brazilian-dominated team that qualified for this competition by virtue of a fifth-placed finish in the Portuguese league.

With Shelbourne in control against Linfield, it opens up the possibility of two League of Ireland sides competing in the league phase of a European competition.

For Rovers, the landmark achievement would be becoming the first side to qualify without availing of the generous champions route.

They’ve got work to do to finish the job in Tallaght Stadium next Thursday. February’s knockout defeat to Molde is a clear reminder that a good start on the road guarantees nothing.

Still, the position that the Hoops find themselves in is a testament to their increased comfort in this company, with Rovers recognising they had no reason to be overawed by opposition from the seventh-best league in Europe, even though they are flagbearers for the 31st.

Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley, right, and Danny Mandroiu after their side's victory

Today's News in 90 Seconds - August 21st

This was an encounter that didn’t quite conform to national stereotypes. An Irish club going away to a Portuguese team would naturally lead to assumptions around a technically-assured host owning the ball against a banked visiting defence.

But this was never expected to be that way, with Santa Clara living up to their reputation as a side that thrive in counter-attacking situations.

From the outset, it was clear that Rovers would get plenty of time on the ball, in particular deep midfielders Matt Healy and Dylan Watts, with the locals waiting for trigger points to try and press.

Rovers needed to be careful and assured and they were relatively comfortable for 20 minutes.

And then they conceded to a strike that highlighted how Santa Clara can go from first gear to fifth gear in an instant on their big pitch, with a dramatic switch of play to their left wing, Paulo Victor catching out Rovers. He had plenty of time to pick out Gabriel Silva, whose shot was parried into the air by Ed McGinty and headed into the empty net by a grateful Vinicius.

Sceptics in the away section might have feared this would be the catalyst for Santa Clara to really open up, but Rovers had 57pc of possession before the interval, and the period after conceding allowed them to grow into things, recognising that flicking the ball down the sides and turning red shirts could be profitable.

While Rory Gaffney was engaged in a physical battle with a rugged Santa Clara rearguard, the spaces opened up in between and Danny Mandroiu had threatened before the equalising goal.

Mandroiu played his part, too, completing a one-two with Danny Grant that allowed the right wing-back to dart infield and he saw glory as space opened up. A deflection was needed to allow his shot over the line, but the endeavour earned the break.

Football folk will always say that the first half of these ties allows the teams to feel each other out. The curiosity after the resumption revolved around whether Santa Clara had more in the locker, but Rovers began to look more at ease with their surroundings after a scare when the offside flag chalked out a set-piece effort.

Composed defending allied with the quality of Watts and Healy allowed Rovers to navigate tricky passages and turn things the other way. Mandroiu was increasingly dangerous between the lines, too.

Yet it was a set-piece that put Bradley’s side into the lead, although central characters were involved. An earlier free had also been thwarted by an offside flag, but this time around Watts switched the ball towards Josh Honohan, who flicked it down for Mandroiu, who skilfully manufactured the chance to slot a right-footer into the bottom corner.

Santa Clara huffed and puffed but never looked like blowing Rovers away. An epic Thursday in Tallaght lies ahead.

Santa Clara: Batista; Lima, Rocha, MT; Calila (Pires 62), Firmino, Serginho (Ferreira 73), Victor (Pereira 85); Vinicius (Manoel 73), Silva; Costa (Wendell 62).

Shamrock Rovers: McGinty; Cleary, Lopes, Grace; Grant, Healy, Watts (McEneff 89), Honohan; Nugent (Barrett 94), Mandroiu (Burke 73); Gaffney (Noonan 73).

Ref: S Ebner (Aut)

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