Inter Club d’Escaldes 0 Dundalk 1
An early David McMillan strike saw Dundalk overcome Inter Club d’Escalades at the Estadi Comunal in Andorra last night as they set up a Europa League third qualifying date with Sheriff Tiraspol in Moldova next Thursday.
Filippo Giovagnoli's side were full value for the win but failed to capitalise on their early goal as the game became overshadowed by the performance of Belarusian referee Viktor Shimusik, who produced 10 yellow cards throughout including reds to either side.
It was the harsh 58th-minute dismissal of Andy Boyle that threatened to cost the Lilywhites, who had dominated up to that point.
Despite their numerical advantage, Inter Club – who also had Genís Soldevila sent off in the 93rd minute – failed to cut through a stubborn Dundalk defence.
The Louth men were dominant right from the off and it was no surprise when they made the breakthrough on 14 minutes. Stefan Colovic did well to win possession in midfield before picking out Michael Duffy, who in turn slipped McMillan in on the right. The striker then made no mistake with a cool finish past Josep Gomes for the ninth European goal of his career.
Dundalk had several fine chances to add to their lead after that with Duffy, Greg Sloggett and McMillan all going close before Seán Murray was denied by Gomes on 37 minutes.
Inter Club would only threaten for the first time on 41 minutes when a header across the box broke to Soldevila, who was denied by a superb block at close range by Chris Shields.
Murray would hit the post in stoppage time at the end of the half from a free kick but Dundalk struggled to get going after the restart and were reduced to 10 men just before the hour mark when Boyle picked up a harsh second yellow for a foul on Marc Puyol.
Soldevila had three late chances as Adfonso Baines’s men pushed for an equaliser but passed up each of them including a free header which he headed over. His night then went from bad to worse in stoppage time when he picked up two yellows in quick succession to be sent off, allowing Dundalk to hold out for a win that should have been more comfortable.
INTER CLUB D'ESCALADES: Gomes; Fehér, Lima, Garcia, Bessone; A Reyes, S Moreno (Roca, 83 mins); Rubio (Ó Reyes, 86 mins), Pujol, Soldevila; Betriu (Bruninho, 78 mins).
DUNDALK: Rogers; Hoare, Gartland, Boyle, Leahy; Shields, Sloggett; Colovic (Gannon, 60 mins), Murray (Mountney, 70 mins), Duffy; McMillan (Hoban, 70 mins).
Referee: Viktor Shimusik (Belarus).
