Liberec too sharp for Rovers

Intertoto Cup: Slovan Liberec 2 Shamrock Rovers 0 Crack Czech outfit Slovan Liberec proved a step above Polish side Odra Wodzislaw for Shamrock Rovers yesterday afternoon in the U Nisy Stadium, Liberec.

Two first-half goals were enough to confirm just that, although credit must go to Liam Buckley's team for holding onto a deficit that may inspire hopes of a revival next Sunday in Richmond Park.

Rovers were under pressure as soon as the third minute when imposing Czech striker Michal Pospisil, with five international goals to his name, threatened but was held off bravely with Richie Byrne getting his body between man and ball.

With 10 minutes gone in the game, Shane Robinson floated in an inch perfect cross from the right wing for Stephen Grant whose interception lacked control. However, he did manage to earn a corner.

Moments later the Dublin side were a goal down.

Vaclav Kolousek, who joined Liberec from Italian Serie B side Salernitana last January, struck an inviting corner which was met by Tomas Zapotocny, who had risen above Terry Palmer, and Barry Ryan was given no chance of stopping the powerful header.

Nearing the midway point of the opening period, Slovan had a goal disallowed but did double their lead on 21 minutes.

Good build-up play from Tomas Janu and Petr Lukas freed up midfielder David Langer for a shot and his effort took an unfortunate deflection off the retreating Stephen Grant to spin past Ryan's outstretched arm.

Among the 5,100 attendance, 200 Dubliners were roused into applause as the Hoops finished off the half with a chance for Glen Fitzpatrick but he chipped unconvincingly over the home team's crossbar.

Striker Trevor Molloy was introduced for Fitzpatrick at the break and he immediately forced a corner and found Tony Grant on 54 minutes, but winger Grant, recipient of the eircom League player of the month award for June, placed his shot from 18 yards directly at goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.

Midfielder Kolousek, a five-time capped club player of the year this season, threatened with a ground shot on 58 minutes and a half-volley in the 63rd minute, but Ryan was alert to the danger between the Rovers posts.

Liam Kelly came on with seven minutes remaining as Buckley's bench seemed to improve the overall situation and held off Slovan's counter-attacking style. Molloy forced a save from Kinsky before an 88th-minute strike from Kolousek stung Rovers's left upright.

In the dying seconds of the game Molloy headed tamely over the bar from six yards after racing onto James Keddy's cross in what was the last chance of the game.

The eventual winners of this second-round tie will play either Spanish side Racing Santander - a former club of Buckley's - or Györ ETO of Hungary. Santander won the first-leg of their pairing 1-0 in Spain yesterday.

SLOVAN LIBEREC: Kinsky; Ancic, Holenak, Holosko (Nezmar, 58 mins), Zapotocny; Lukas, Janu, Kolousek, Langer; Kisel, Pospisil (Slepicka, 88 mins).Goals: Zapotocny, 11 mins; Langer, 21. Booked: Janu (29).

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Ryan; Gough, Keddy, Colwell (Doyle 74), Palmer, Bryne; Robinson, Reynolds, Fitzpatrick (Molloy half-time); T Grant (Kelly 83 mins), S Grant. Booked: Reynolds (20).

Referee: Nalbandyan (Armenia).