5 v 1 
Sligo RoversVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 August 2022 | 6:00 pm | UEFA Conference League | 2022/23 |
Match Report
Sligo Rovers routed by Viking invasion
Sligo Rovers endured a nightmare start as their European dreams were shattered by a five goal rout from Norwegian side Viking in their first leg Europa Conference tie tonight.
Two goals in the opening 7 minutes along with two enforced substitutions for Rovers who lost the experienced Adam McDonnell and Garry Buckley to injury before they reached the twenty minute mark.
Rovers did look lively for the remainder of the half but early goals in the second half through substitutes Traore and Sandberg before a late goal from another replacement Austbo put the result beyond doubt.
David Cawley did a convert a penalty late in the game to restore some pride but progress through the tie looks unlikely ahead of next week's sold out clash in The Showgrounds.
It was the worst possible opening for the visitors as a low effort from the edge of the box was saved by McNicholas but the rebound fell kindly for Tripic at the back post who fired it hom and opened the scoring with only four minutes on the clock.
Moments later it was panic stations for the visitors when Adam McDonnell hobbled off to be replaced by Max Mata but before the Kiwi even managed to touch the ball it was double the advantage to Viking as the home side broke down the left side before a switch pass saw the ball fall to the feet of Samuel Fridjonsson and the Icelandic midfielder powered it to the back of the net to make it 2-0.
There was a real concern that Rovers might be at the end of a rout. Losing Garry Buckley, who was stretchered off, after coming out the worst out of a poor challenge saw Pijnaker enter the fray after 20 minutes.
Rovers to their credit never stopped plugging away and a long range effort that worried the Icelandic goalkeeper Patrick Gunnarsson would indicate that the Bit O'Red could possibly get themselves back into the game.
Sligo's hopes of keeping the tie alive were dealt a blow when Traore stroked home early in the second half after Tripic played a ball into his path. The tie was effectively over as a contest when Sandberg found a little space in the box after a beautiful through ball and his effort crept inside the far post of the Sligo goal. The Icelandic midfielder who was in the squad for the 2018 World Cup sealed the tie ahead of the already sold out game in Sligo next week.
Another replacement would have the last impact for the home side when Austbo sent his effort from the edge of the box past McNicholas to remove any doubt about the outcome with less than ten minutes remaining on the clock.
A foul on Max Mata left captain David Cawley with the opportunity to score a consolation from the spot and he dispatched it to the top corner.
Timeline
| Zlatko Tripic | 4' | |
| Samuel Fridjonsson | 7' | |
| 7' | Adam McDonnell Max Mata | |
| Viljar Vevatne | 11' | |
| 22' | 26. Garry Buckley | |
| 22' | Garry Buckley Nando Pijnaker | |
| Kevin Kabran Niklas Sandberg | 45' | |
| Daniel Karlsbakk Mai Traore | 45' | |
| Mai Traore | 52' | |
| 55' | 8. Niall Morahan | |
| Niklas Sandberg | 60' | |
| Harald Nilsen Tangen Kristoffer Lokberg | 61' | |
| 64' | 28. Nando Pijnaker | |
| 75' | Karl O'Sullivan Greg Bolger | |
| 75' | Aidan Keena Frank Liivak | |
| David Brekalo | 77' | |
| Zlatko Tripic Simen Kvia-Edgeskog | 77' | |
| Sondre Bjorshol Edwin Austbo | 77' | |
| Edwin Austbo | 87' | |
| 89' | 22. David Cawley |
Ground
| Viking Stadion |
|---|
| Viking stadion, Laberget, Jåttåvågen, Hinna, Stavanger, Rogaland, 4032, Norway |
Final Whistle
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And that is all she wrote. The game has ended 5-1 to the home side. The Bit O'Red with an uphill struggle at home next week.
David Cawley has pulled one back from the penalty spot after a foul on Max Mata.
And the inevitable has happened, another substitute has found their name on the scoresheet as Edwin Austbo as he finds the back of the net with a fabulous effort from the edge of the box.
Sandberg is looking lively for Viking. The most likely source of a fifth goal. This effort goes just wide of McNicholas's post but the Mayo man looked to have it covered.
Bolger and Liivak have entered the fray for Rovers.
Sandberg fires over from the edge of the box after a good build up from the home side. They're really enjoying entertaining the crowd at this point.
Pijnaker receives a yellow card for his pull on Mia Traore as he broke quickly against the Rovers defence.
And the inevitable has happened. A beautiful team goal full of trick passes and a little of flair makes it 4 for Viking as a rabona pass puts Sandberg through, he checks and strokes the ball past two defenders and the keeper just inside the far post to complete the game and finally put the tie beyond any doubt.
Niall Morahan finds his name in the book after an over zealous challenge.
And last week's match winner for Viking has entered the party. The half time substitute gets on the end of Tripic's knock back to slide the ball past the helpless McNicholas.
And the second half is up and running. A massive 45 minutes for the Irish side to bring the tie back to The Showgrounds next week. A goal would make all the difference in the outlook.
The referee has blown the half time whistle here. It's been decent from Sligo Rovers since they fell two goals behind very early on. The loss of Buckley and McDonnell will also be sorely felt by the visitors. Back in 15 or so.
A great low cross from the opening goalscorer Tripic is cleared by Blaney for a corner. The referee has seen something in the melee to award a free to Rovers.
Kevin Kabran has a run at the Sligo rear guard but his effort is block behind by a Rover's defender.
Keena is getting closer with a nice touch from Mata, his effort from a similar distance as the last opportunity gets slightly closer to the frame of the goal. Sligo are growing into the game dominating possession in the last quarter hour.
Great hustle from Rovers forces two corners as their industry starts to reap some rewards against their Norwegian opponents. Pijnaker and Mata almost combine to bundle the second corner home but the keeper is able to smother the chance.
Sligo are showing signs of settling into the game but it's become a massive challenge from 2-0 down with two experienced players already forced out through injury.
Viking have been very impressive so far with the home side in almost total control of the encounter so far. Sligo's reshuffling certainly hasn't helped their organisation.
Nando Pijnaker has replaced Buckley for Rovers.
Another set back for the visitors as Garry Buckley is receiving treatment in the corner. The referee has booked him for the challenge as he is removed on a stretcher.
Aidan Keena has the first real effort for Rovers as he latches onto a through ball, a poor first touch almost results in the chance going a begging but he gets an effort in from 25 yards but can't keep it down.
An early booking for the home side as Vevatne is penalised for a foul on Karl O'Sullivan as the Limerick man broke for Rovers. The Norwegians deal with the free kick easily.
We also had the first substitution of the game just before that goal with Adam McDonnell limping off to be replaced by Max Mata.
And it\'s been coming. A bad start has gotten even worse. Rovers are in danger of a real rout here. It\'s all the Norwegians.
Lewis Banks saves it from becoming even worse as his last gasp tackle dispossess the goalscorer as he prepared to shoot for a second. Sligo deal with the corner.
Nightmare start for Rovers as Zlatko Tripic opens the scoring. He taps in after McNicholas can only parry an early shot from the Norwegians into his path. The home side have looked strongest in the early exchanges. Long way to go though.
And we are underway in Norway. Sligo are hoping to continue their fantastic run in the Conference League.
The teams are in and the warm ups are nearing completition as both technical staff give their last instructions to their players. The prize on offer this evening is first blood in the hunt for the playoff round of the Europa League for either side.