SHAMROCK ROVERS BEATEN AGAIN BY RUBIN KAZAN IN EUROPE

Shamrock Rovers brave journey in the Europa is fast-turning into something of a nightmare.
They were out-gunned 4-1 by Russian side Rubin Kazan at the Tsentralnyi Stadium in sub-zero conditions this evening.

The home side got off to the perfect start when Valdes scored in the tenth minute.
However, Rovers replied immediately with a goal from a Billy Dennehy free kick which Ken Oman headed home, to make it 1-1 after only 12 minutes.

Michael O'Neill's team were giving a good account of themselves in midfield and Chris Turner had a shot which went over the bar.
Mata then had a shot saved by Ryan Thompson.
Billy Dennehy had a run and his shot on goal was well saved by Ryzhikov.
Dan Murray then had to block a shot on his own goal line as the quality of the Russian team's forwards began to tell.
Kazan took the lead again on 36 mins when Natcho fired a shot past the despairing dive of Ryan Thompson, this was the Israeli's 9th goal in Europe this season.
Karl Sheppard had a shot just over on 42 minutes.

Coming out for the 2nd half, Shamrock Rovers were very much still in this game until another Valdes goal undid them, despite the suspicion of it being offside, the goal stood.
The dangerous Valdes had another shot minutes later but Thompson did well to save it.
Rovers defence was now their weakest link and Obafemi Martins made it 4-1 on 62 mins even though the ball looked to have gone out of play in the build-up to the goal, the 5th official didn't do his job right.

There was time for Rovers to try and get back into the match and Karl Sheppard saw his fine shot strike the crossbar with time running out.
Billy Dennehy had a free-kick in  a good position in added time but he blazed it high and wide, he is better than that.

So, its a long journey home for the Rovers but they do have the visit of Tottenham Hotspur to look forward to in their last game of their season.

Teams:
 Shamrock Rovers: Thompson, Sullivan, Oman, Murray, Stevens, Rice, Dennehy, Finn, Turner, Paterson, Sheppard.

Rubin Kazan: Ryzhikov, Kaleshin, Navas, Sharonov, Boccetti, Ryazantsev, Natcho, Noboa, Karadeniz, Martins, Valdez.