Eircom League champions Bohemians have been beaten by Halmstad of Sweden 2-1 in their Champions League second round first leg qualifier at Dalymount Park. The home side were on top for most of the first half and striker Glen Crowe gave Pete Mahon's men the perfect start when he headed home after 24 minutes. But a penalty late in the first half and a brilliant strike ten minutes after the re-start sealed a vital away victory for the visitors, leaving Bohs with a tough task ahead of them in the return leg next week.
Crowe netted twice in the side's first round 3-0 victory over Estonian side Levadia and he was on hand yet again to score when a short corner from Paul Byrne was floated across the area and found the Bohs hitman at the near post. Crowe looked very lively throughout the first half and Halmstad have their keeper Hakan Svensson to thank for keeping Crowe down to just the one goal before the break.
Although the Dublin side were in control for long stages and were the better side in the first-half, Halmstad did threaten their goalmouth on several occasions and they looked particularly dangerous on the break. The Swedish side missed a number of chances before Bohs surrendered their lead in the 31st minute. International striker Stefan Selakovic was brought down by keeper Wayne Russell and Tommy Johnsson converted from the penalty spot.
Their first-half penalty seemed to inspire them in the second period and they took the lead ten minutes after the break through Stefan Selakovic. Arvidsson set him up and the Swedish international lobbed the ball over central defender Avery John and into the back of an empty net.
Bohs piled on the pressure in the latter stages as they went all out for an equaliser. Winger Mark Rutherford was outstanding and should have scored when he skipped past two Halmstad defenders but he shot wide of the upright. The Dublin team now have a serious battle on their hands to progress to the next stage of the competition but manager Pete Mahon believes they are not out of the reckoning just yet.
"We had our chances, but unfortunately didn't take them. But I don't regard this tie as over just yet. We have a great away record in Europe as our victories in both Aberdeen and Kaiserslautern proved last year," pointed out Mahon.
Captain Kevin Hunt is also confident that Bohs can still reach the next qualifying round. "We made them work hard tonight. We could have scored a few more goals ourselves and if we get the same chances next Wednesday then we're in with a great chance," he explained after tonight's tie.
Whichever side eventually progresses, they look almost certain of meeting Belgian side Anderlecht in the next round, as they triumphed 4-0 in tonight's first leg tie against Sheriff Tiraspol.
Meanwhile, Scottish Premier League club Glasgow Rangers look certain of progressing after they enjoyed an easy 3-0 victory over NK Maribor thanks to goals from Tore Andre Flo and a debut strike from Christian Nerlinger. Next week's return leg at Ibrox looks to be a mere formality and Rangers look set to meet Turkish champions Fenerbahce in their final Champions League qualifier.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
