Daugava Riga 0-3 Aberdeen (Agg 0-8): Dons cruise through in Europa Lge
- adamhigginsuk
- Jul 10, 2014
- 5 min read
On target: Rooney showed his predatory instincts to flick home the opening goal on the way to a sensational hat-trick (Picture from Getty Images)
ADAM Rooney scored a first-half hat-trick as Aberdeen completed an emphatic rout of Latvian outfit Daugava Riga to reach the Europa League second qualifying round.
Rooney flicked home the opener on 21 minutes before applying the final touch to Shaleum Logan's cross to double the lead.
The former Inverness striker took his tally to five goals over the two legs on the stroke of half-time after a fine run and cross from Johnny Hayes.
The Dons, who played at second gear throughout, could not add to their 8-0 aggregate scoreline during a non-existent second period.
But Derek McInnes's side recorded another handsome victory to book a tie against FC Groningen - with the Dutch side set to visit Pittodrie next Thursday.
? DID YOU KNOW ?
Adam Rooney became the first player to score a European hat-trick for a Scottish side since Jamie Murphy in Motherwell's 8-1 win over Flamurtari in July 2009.
Rooney scored his first Aberdeen hat-trick and now has 14 goals in 20 appearances for the Dons since arriving in January (initially on loan).
The Irish striker is the first Aberdeen player to net three goals in a single European tie since Mark McGhee against Hungarian side Ujpest Dosza in 1984.
McInnes made two changes from last week's 5-0 first-leg win as Ash Taylor - making his competitive debut - and Andrew Considine came into defence with Russell Anderson dropping to the bench and Peter Pawlett ruled out with an ankle injury.
Striker David Goodwillie - who joined on a free transfer this week after leaving Blackburn - was unavailable after signing after the European deadline while left-back Clark Robertson continued his rehabilitation following knee surgery.
Riga were without the suspended duo Vitalijs Zils and Aurimas Kucys after being sent off seven days ago as Nabil Abdelaziz and Oleh Solovich were drafted in among five alterations.
The Latvian side had two early changes at the Daugava Stadium - which hosts the national athletics - as Emils Knapsis and Mantas Savenas both fired over from promising positions.
Viktor Flora then advanced forward into space and sent a rising 30-yard drive over keeper Jamie Langfield's crossbar.
But the Dons quickly assumed superiority as Niall McGinn volleyed narrowly wide from the edge of the penalty area.
They went ahead midway through the first half when Rooney flicked the ball in from six yards after good build-up play from Hayes.
Logan surged forward to fire a low shot inches wide before Langfield had to be alert to keep out Knapsis at the other end.
But Rooney was on hand again to double Aberdeen's lead, tapping home Logan's inviting centre beyond goalkeeper Ignis Krumins.
And the 25-year-old Irishman rounded off his hat-trick in the final kick before the interval after profiting from more positive approach work from the marauding Hayes.
? DID YOU KNOW ?
Aberdeen won for the first time in eight European away games (having drawn two and lost five of the previous seven) on what was their second ever trip to Riga.
Hayes was forced off after the break following a challenge by Emmanuel Mendy as Cammy Smith entered the fray.
The Dons were backed by 400 supporters who made the 4,000 mile trip to Eastern Europe and the fans were in fine voice as they outnumbered the sparse home crowd.
The second half was a dull affair lacking in goalmouth action as the Scottish Premiership side, donning their new "Granite" away kit for the first time, held a measure of control with a degree of patient.
Nicky Low and teenager Scott Wright were thrown on in place of McGinn and Barry Robson during the closing stages as the Dons saw out the game to cruise through to the second phase of their European journey.
Making their voices heard: The boisterous Aberdeen fans were vocal throughout and their travelling efforts were fully rewarded with another one-sided win (Picture from Twitter.com)
Thursday 10th July 2014
UEFA Europa League First Qualifying Round 2nd leg
Daugava Stadium (Riga, Latvia)
Daugava Riga 0-3 Aberdeen KO 5:30pm Live on Premier Sports/HD (HT 0-3)
Rooney 22, 40, 45
Daugava Riga: (4-4-1-1) 67 Krumins - 5.5/10, 8 Kacanovs - 6/10, 5 Ribokas - 5/10 (Vitolnieks 62 - 4.5/10), 12 Tomkevicius - 5.5/10, 26 Mendy - 6/10, 7 Savenas (C) - 6/10, 27 Knapsis - 5.5/10, 20 Abdelaziz - 5/10, 4 Solovich - 6/10, 99 Vitor Flora - 5/10 (Karklins 55 - 5/10), 9 Blanks - 5.5/10 (Markevicius 66 - 3.5/10).
Subs not used: 1 Ozols (GK), 33 Borovskij, 21 Joksts, 11 Apins
Booked: None
Aberdeen: (4-1-4-1) 1 Langfield - 8.5/10, 2 Logan - 8.5/10, 3 Considine - 8/10, 6 Reynolds (C) - 8.5/10, 5 Taylor - 8/10, 15 Robson - 8/10 (Low 80 - 2.5/10), 22 Jack - 7.5/10, 8 Flood - 8/10, 10 McGinn - 7.5/10 (Wright 80 - 2.5/10), 11 Hayes - 7/10 (Smith 62 - 4.5/10), 9 Rooney - 9.5/10.
Subs not used: 20 Brown (GK), 4 Anderson, 21 Shaughnessy, 25 Shankland
Booked: None
My Man of the Match: Adam Rooney (Aberdeen) - Rating 9.5/10
My Poorest Performer of the Match: Arnas Ribokas (Daugava Riga) - Rating 5/10
Referee: Mikhail Vilkov (Russia) - 8.5/10 Assistant referees: Aleksei Vorontsov (Russia) and Valeri Danchenko (Russia) Fourth Official: Aleksandr Egorov (Russia)
Attendance: 6,500
Match Facts
Possession: Daugava Riga - 33% Aberdeen - 67%
Shots: Daugava Riga - 9 Aberdeen - 8
Shots on target: Daugava Riga - 3 Aberdeen - 5
Shots off target: Daugava Riga - 6 Aberdeen - 3
Corners: Daugava Riga - 5 Aberdeen - 5
Fouls: Daugava Riga - 16 Aberdeen - 11
Offside: Daugava Riga - 1 Aberdeen - 6
Assists: Daugava Riga - 0 (None) Aberdeen - 3 (Hayes 2, Logan)
MANAGER & PLAYER REACTION:-
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes
"We've got to make sure that as much as we enjoy tonight, we've got to get our heads on Groningen next week. We've got two or three reports done on them from the games last season. They've lost one or two players from that side, but good players, with a bit of pace and a bit of presence. It'll be a good test for us, but it'll be a good test for them as well. We're obviously up and running now, so the advantage that Daugava had over us, we might have that slight advantage over them. It's good to get competitive football started. We asked the boys to be professional. It was a mature and competent performance, just what was required. The pace of the game dropped in the second half, understandably, we didn't need to chase it and they defended a bit deeper. All in all over the two legs there was a lot to be pleased about but we know there are bigger challenges ahead."
Last updated: 10 July 2014 20:31pm
Comentarios