Rosenborg 2-1 Dundalk AET (Rosenborg win 3-2 on aggregate)
It was a case of what might have been in Trondheim on Wednesday night as Dundalk’s Champions League hopes came to an end against Rosenborg in a 2-1 extra-time defeat, which saw the hosts prevail 3-2 on aggregate.
Level at 1-1 after the first leg at Oriel Park, Brian Gartland gave the League of Ireland champions an early lead but, in similar fashion to the first leg at Oriel Park, they were unable to see it out to the break, with Yann-Erik De Lanlay equalising two minutes before the interval.
Rosenborg penned Dundalk back throughout the second half and with their energy levels failing, the Lilywhites were happy to take the tie to extra-time.
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However, their ambitions of securing a third qualifying round clash against Celtic went up in smoke in the 97th minute when Matthias Vilhjalmsson headed past Gary Rogers.
Dundalk started brightly - looking assured and creative - and they pulled ahead in the 12th minute.
Michael Duffy’s corner from the right found Gartland and he powered past a Rosenborg defender to leave Andre Hansen with no chance.
David McMillan almost doubled the lead four minutes later, but his header was brilliantly tipped over the top by Hansen. How crucial that save turned out to be.
The jeers from the 14,000-plus home crowd showed exactly what the Rosenborg supporters felt and Dundalk’s first real scare arrived in the 35th minute.
Robbie Benson was robbed in midfield, with the ball breaking kindly for Bendtner, but his touch was heavy and sent De Lanlay too wide, a fruitless corner was the outcome.
That kick-started a decent spell of pressure for the hosts and they drew level with 43 minutes on the clock with a brilliantly worked goal.
Their two Danes, Bendtner and Mike Jensen were the architects. The big striker’s exquisite flick found his captain and his pass inside Gannon was perfectly weighted for De Lanlay, who raced clear to finish past Gary Rogers.
Dundalk lost their composure after that and Rogers was forced into a decent save two minutes later, pushing away a Jevotic shot after the ball deflected kindly into the Serbian’s path.
Buoyed by the goal, Rosenborg started quickly after the break and Vemmelund had to charge down a Fredrik Midtsjo effort within 60 seconds of the restart.
Things became incredibly open after that and Dundalk were let off the hook in the 58th minute when Bendtner rounded Rogers but couldn’t pick out the incoming Jensen.
Kenny introduced Stephen O’Donnell in the 59th minute in a bid to get some possession of the ball, but it was the Scandinavians who kept pushing, with Rogers having to stop long-range attempts from Konradsen and Midtsjo.
Dundalk remained under the cosh and Rosenborg squandered a great opportunity to pull ahead in the tie when Vegar Hedenstad’s free-kick found Tore Reginiussen, but he snatched at the chance and Rogers was grateful to make an easy save.
With Niclas Vemmelund outstanding at the back, Dundalk inched towards extra-time and the fourth official had just signalled for three additional minutes when Rogers did well to bat another Midtsjo effort behind.
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Ciaran Kilduff, the hero of Dundalk’s European journey last year, replaced the tireless McMillan in the fourth minute of extra-time.
It was another substitute, however, who had the decisive say, Vilhjalmsson climbing high above Gratland to direct a Hedenstad cross past Rogers and edge Rosenborg ahead on aggregate.
Kilduff almost repeated his exploits of 2016 on the stroke of half-time in extra-time when he let fly with a half-volley from Gartland’s knock down.
The ball whistled towards goal but Hansen’s fingertip save took it onto the bar and over the top.
Rosenborg: Andre Hansen; Vegar Hedenstad, Tore Reginiussen, Jorgen Skjelvik, Birger Meling; Mike Jensen, Anders Konradsen, Fredrik Midtsjo; Milan Jevtovic (Elbasan Rashan 105), Nicklas Bendtner (Marius Lundemo 114), Yann-Erik de Lanlay (Matthias Vilhjalmsson 72)
Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Niclas Vemmelund, Dane Massey; Robbie Benson, Chris Shields; John Mountney, Patrick McEleney (Jamie McGrath 84), Michael Duffy (Stephen O’Donnell 59); David McMillan (Ciaran Kilduff 94)
