Bohemians face an uphill struggle to progress to the third round of the Champions League qualifiers after they lost 1-0 to Rosenborg. The Gypsies will travel to Trondheim next week needing to win after the visitors took a vital away goal from Dalymount Park.
The home side got off to a fine start and enjoyed much of the early play. After just eight minutes Bobby Ryan, who impressed throughout, drilled in a low shot come cross which Rutherford and Glenn Crowe just missed. Crowe then went even closer with his looping shot from inside the Rosenborg area, after getting on the end of a low Simon Webb cross.
Despite Bohs' early chances, the visitors were steadily finding their footing and they stole into the lead after 35 minutes. Former Celtic player Harald Brattbakk floated in a teasing corner, which Karadas met at the near post and his glancing header found the net.
That goal visibly affected Bohemians confidence and Rosenborg began to take control of the game. The Norwegians went close to doubling their lead just before the break when Wisnes knocked down another Brattbakk cross, but there was no one there to take advantage of the opportunity and Bohs scrambled the ball to safety.
Bohemians manager Steven Kenny's half-time teamtalk seemed to lift his side and they started the second half brightly. Ryan was once again causing trouble for the visitors down the wing and after just two minutes of the half, he beat his man and whipped in a teasing cross that was just too high for Crowe, the ball then fell to Rutherford but his shot from a tight angle sailed over the bar. They went even closer minutes later when Doyle's free-kick was floated into the penalty are, but Hawkins could only head over the bar.
However Rosenborg were always a threat and just like the first half, they slowly began to exert their control on the game and for long periods, leaving the home side chasing shadows as the Norweigans kept possession of the ball superbly.
Despite their lack of possession, Bohs had several late chances to grab an equaliser. A well struck through ball from Lynch found Crowe in space and although the ball was taken off the toe of the Irish international, it fell to Harkin whose low drive was just inches wide. Harkin was involved again minutes later when he wriggled his way free of two defenders out on the right flank before floating in a wonderful cross that Steven Caffrey should really have scored from.
Afterwards, Bohemians manager Steven Kenny admitted that while his side face a tough task Trondheim, they can play better than they did tonight. "There's a lot more in us to be honest, we are capable of beating them. I'm devastated to lose the game and it's a tall order to go to Norway and win……but there is a bit more in the locker for us and we can play better."
Filed by Rob Wright
