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Bohemians suffer Europa League shootout heartache in Hungary

Bohemians are out of the Europa League, but it took a penalty shootout for Keith Long's Gypsies to b...


Bohemians suffer Europa League...

Sport

Bohemians suffer Europa League shootout heartache in Hungary


Bohemians are out of the Europa League, but it took a penalty shootout for Keith Long's Gypsies to be finally put away in Hungary. 

The Dublin side were playing their first European tie in nine years, but navigated most of the 120 minutes at the MOL Arena like veterans.

Keith Ward gave Bohs a 22nd minute lead, firing home after some fine work from Kris Twardek.

Their lead would only last fifteen minutes. Fehervar Nemanja Nikolics slotted a 37th minute penalty past Stephen McGuinness.

Fehervar continued to ask questions of the visitors in the second half, but Dan Casey and Rob Cornwall stood firm at the heart of Bohs defence.

Keith Ward produced the best chance of the second half, finding space for himself outside the hosts' box, but flashing a shot wide of Adam Kovacsik's left-hand upright.

Into extra-time they went, Twardek lively as ever found the by-line after a dart down the left flank. The resulting ball to substitute Dawson Devoy was gathered comfortably by Kovacsik.

Bohs were organised and disciplined, continually keeping their shape against the constant threat of a side shot through with internationals.

McGuinness saved from the first spot-kick of the shootout from Nikolics' replacement Armin Hodzic.

Bohs looked to have squandered their chance to put the pressure on Fehervar when Danny Mandroiu saw his effort saved by Kovacsik. However, the keeper was adjudged to have come off his line early and they re-set. Mandroiu made no mistake the second time around.

Nikolov, Levingston and Garesi all found the net before Casey stepped up. Long turned to his bench as if he knew what was about to happen.

The big centre-half fired a powerful penalty square against the post to give Fehervar renewed hope.

Another defender - Stopira - confidently fired past McGuinness to put the Hungarian side 3-2 up.

Next up was Twardek whose penalty whistled way beyond Kovacsik's left-hand upright, giving diminutive Lyes Houri the chance to win it. The Frenchman gave the ball a wee kiss and sent it past McGuinness to put Fehervar through 4-2 on penalties.



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Bohemians Dan Casey Europa League Fehervar Keith Long Keith Ward Kris Twardek UEFA Europa League

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