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Glentoran 0 AIK Solna 5
UEFA Cup
Thursday 19th July 2007
7:45 kick-off
 
Glentoran Squad
Michael Doherty, Colin Nixon, Paul Leeman, Sean Ward, Gary Smyth, Rory Hamill, Ryan Berry, Dean Fitzgerald, Jason Hill, Michael Halliday, Gary Hamilton.
Substitutes:
Tim McCann, Philip Simpson, Chris Morgan (for Rory Hamill, 70), Philip Carson (for Jason Hill,70), Willo McDonagh, William McFrederick (GK)
AIK Solna Squad
Unvailable
Scorers
AIK Solna: Wilton Figueiredo (25, 62), Lucas Valdemarin (69), Khari Stephenson (74), Dulee Johnson (83)
Glentoran: -
Match Report
Glentoran tonight suffered a heavy home defeat in Alan McDonald's first competitive game in charge, going down 5-0 to the Swedes in the first qualifying round of the UEFA cup.
The new boss must have been happy with his team's showing for the first hour against the full-timers, despite trailing to Wilton Figueiredo's deflected opener on 25 minutes.
McDonald's team had the majority of possession, and had there been an extra edge in the final 3rd, the Glens' attractive approach play might have been better rewarded.
The game got off to a flying start as AIK's lively attack carved out a chance in the first minute, but failed to capitalise on a free header as the Glens defence looked on.
At the other end, Gary Hamilton's dangerous free-kick somehow avoided Gary Smyth's head before being cleared to safety.
Glentoran then settled into a nice rhythm of passing football, using every member of the team to find space and time on the ball against the full-time opposition, with Ryan Berry and Dean Fitzgerald linking up well in midfield and cancelling out the opposition.
But on 25 minutes, the Glens were stunned with the deflected opener for AIK which came against the run of play.
AIK began to look sharp, but within 10 minutes Glentoran had regained their composure and again began to control more of the ball, but were still unable to capitalize, with Jason Hill's long range effort being the only shot before the break.
The best chance for the Glens fell to Dean Fitzgerald in the 47th minute. After Jason Hill's corner was neatly laid off by Hamilton, Fitzgerald's left foot effort sailed just over the crossbar.
Gary Smyth then saw his headed effort comfortably saved by the Swedish goalkeeper.
As Glentoran were building momentum, the visitors' tempers began to fray, with a number rash tackles allowing the Glens the opportunity to put pressure on their defence, but solid defending from the free kicks kept the ball away from the Swedish danger zone.
Then came a real sucker-punch in the 62nd minute. Another Glentoran move broke down, allowing the Swedes to break with pace down the right wing. When the ball came to Figueiredo in the penalty box, the forward made no mistake in notching up his second of the game.
Glentoran again picked themselves up, and after Halliday was fouled on the edge of the box, Gary Smyth was unlucky to see his free-kick rattle the AIK cross-bar.
Within two minutes, AIK had further stretched their lead after a mistimed back-pass allowed Lucas Valdemarin in to score from a tight angle.
Rory Hamill and Jason Hill were then replaced by Philip Carson and Chris Morgan as the Glens moved to a 4-3-3 formation in an attempt to chase the game, but to no avail.
Late goals were added by Khari Stephenson and Dulee Johnson to give the scoreline a harsh look and leave the Glens with an uphill struggle in Sweden.
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