13/08/2004

Glens face Euro struggle following defeat

Glentoran face an uphill struggle to qualify for the first round proper of the Uefa Cup after losing 1-0 to Swedish side Elfsborg in their second qualifying round, first leg tie at the Oval last night.

The east Belfast men fell to a late sucker punch when Joakim Alexandersson took advantage of an innocuous free-kick to shoot past goalkeeper Elliot Morris with just two minutes of the game left.

The fact that the Swedes played the final hour of the game with only 10 men following the 38th minute dismissal of skipper Johann Sjoberg won't have made the result any easier to bare.

While the home side had plenty of chances to score, poor finishing and some fine goalkeeping mean the Glens need to score two away goals on August 26 if they are to have any chance of facing the likes of Newcastle, Parma or Lazio in the next round.

(MB)

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