Boleslav Deservedly Advances to Europa League Third Qualifying Round after Second Win over Irish Opp
Mladá Boleslav's footballers coped well with the return leg of their Europa League second qualifying round tie, which they went into with a narrow 3-2 advantage from their first leg win, and deservedly advanced to the Europa League third qualifying round after overcoming a formidable opponent.
Both teams made one change to their starting line-ups from the first leg. Boleslav brought in Da Silva as sweeper in place of Stronati, while McAllister replaced Connolly in the Irish midfield.
Boleslav made an excellent start in the first half. After taking an early lead, they further pushed home their advantage before the interval. Their first attack yielded their first corner kick and a chance for Mebrahtu, however the Boleslav forward failed to head the ball cleanly in the six-yard box.
In the 8th minute, Boleslav took a second corner, this time playing it short, which the opposition only succeeded in clearing as far as Matějovský, who sent the ball out to Mareš on the right wing. His cross found Chramosta on the edge of the six-yard box, who surprised Rovers' goalkeeper Chencinski with a shot on the turn - 1-0.
The opening goal gave the Boleslav team the self-confidence to put together passing moves leading to repeated attacks on the opposition goal. Nonetheless, the Shamrock Rovers players, with expected doggedness, did not hang their heads and tried to find a reply to the goal they had conceded. But the finishing of their moves lacked accuracy, and when they finally directed a shot on goal, the vigilant Diviš was ready. The most dangerous attempts came from Byrne in the 18th and 27th minutes.
In the 31st minute, Boleslav produced a fantastic move from the right side. After Matějovský combined with Chramosta, Přikryl sent the ball into the Irish penalty area, finding Mebrahtu in front of goal, who shook off the right back and elegantly slid the ball home into the right corner - 2-0.
The final quarter of an hour of the first term was largely played out in the Rovers' half, and even though Boleslav earned several corners, they did not succeed in adding to the score.
The Irish team began the second half with more intent, and pressed Boleslav back towards Diviš's goal for five minutes. Boleslav had earned seven corners to Rovers' none in the first half, yet after the interval Rovers were awarded three such set pieces within ten minutes, but to no effect. They won their first after Rada's firm clearance of Madden's header towards the left post of the Boleslav goal. McAllister also came close to scoring, heading the ball just wide of Boleslav's right post from the third corner.
For much of the rest of the second half, Boleslav protected its two-goal lead with visibly more confident passing moves than its hardworking and gutsy rival, but were unable to create as many opportunities as they had done before the interval.
The referee added three minutes to the end of the second half, and during this brief stoppage time, Rovers created two big opportunities. After Boyd's successful header, the ball ended in the Boleslav net, but the referee rightly disallowed the goal as the Irish player had committed a foul in an aerial challenge with the defender Pauschek. And in the very last minute of play, goalkeeper Diviš protected his clean sheet with two excellent saves.
FK Mladá Boleslav: Diviš - Pauschek, Čmovš, Da Silva, Fleišman - Rada - Přikryl, Matějovský (83. Magera), Mareš (77. Jánoš), Chramosta (64. Fabián) - Mebrahtu.
Shamrock Rovers FC: Chencinski - Madden, Lopes, Webster, Byrne (68. Bone) - Finn, McAllister (75. Connolly) - Miele (72. Boyd), Burke, Clarke - Shaw.
Goals: 8. Chramosta, 31. Golgol Mebrahtu
Yellow cards: Čmovš, Přikryl - Shaw, Webster
Referees: Kruašvili - Chigogidze, Todria (všichni z Gruzie)
Number of visitors: 4727
![Fanshop banner](https://fkmb.esports.cz/adds/db_partners/logos/9.jpg?1724008037)