Nightmare for Aaron McCarey of Dundalk as Vienna Thriller

Vienna is known as the city of dreams, but it turned out to be a nightmare for Dundalk goalkeeper Aaron McCarey as he was punished for a series of mistakes when Rapid Vienna prevailed tonight in a seven-goal thriller at the Allianz Stadion. .

The former Wolves goalkeeper was one of six changes made by interim head coach Filippo Giovagnoli since last week’s Europa League loss to Arsenal with regular number one Gary Rogers paying the price for an equally costly mistake. in that game.

McCarey will feel like he could have done better for Rapid’s four goals, however, as Dundalk was left to regret what could have missed a great opportunity to take the lead when the game held at 2-2 with four minutes to go. the end.

This result means they are without a point in three Group B games, but there were positives to take out of the game, particularly Chris Shields’ display in midfield, the impact of substitute Nathan Oduwa and two David McMillan penalties that saw him. Equal Glen Crowe’s record for most goals for an Irish League player in Europe with 11.

The visitors started on the front foot and, having won a header from a Jordan Flores free kick two minutes earlier, top scorer Patrick Hoban opened the scoring in the seventh minute.

Chris Shields drove the ball into the box after Sean Gannon was sacked and Hoban passed Maximilian Hofmann to pass Paul Gartler, who made a mess trying to keep the ball out.

Daniel Cleary, right, and Dundalk’s Greg Sloggett react during the loss. Image: Ponikvar Vine / Sportsfile

Dietmar Kühbauer’s team responded well to that setback with Christoph Knasmüllner heading inches from Dejan Ljubičić in the 13th minute before McCarey saved a shot from Maximilian Ullmann three minutes later.

The goalkeeper, who was making his European debut, will feel like he should have done better for Rapid’s equalizer in the 22nd minute as Ljubičić’s shot from distance flashes above him and hits the top of the net.

Monaghan’s man was about to give the home side the lead moments later when a loose punt gave the ball to Kelvin Arase, who put Ercan Kara ahead for a shot that thankfully went straight for the goalkeeper.

Then Dundalk had a great opportunity to regain the lead in the 29th minute after a magnificent break. Chris Shields gained possession at the edge of his box with Hoban and Darragh Leahy helping to move the ball up, where Jordan Flores slipped Michael Duffy only for the winger’s eventual effort to be blocked by Ullmann.

Sean Hoare approached again five minutes later when he hit Duffy’s corner on the nearest post only to see him flash in agony in the face of the goal.

However, Dundalk would have two relays before the break, both from Thorsten Schick crosses. The first was headed deflected by Kara, while a back corner from the 30-year-old was thrown by Hofmann in the way of Knasmüllner at the back post, whose volley was well saved by McCarey.

The pressure continued from the home side at the restart with a shot from Dejan Petrovič that had to be blocked at the expense of a corner kick from Andy Boyle.

Louth’s men threatened themselves in the 56th minute when Boyle received a free kick from Flores off the back post, but ground ball Daniel Cleary was unable to deliver the shot.

Knasmüllner was denied twice in quick succession before Duffy fired into the side net at the hour mark after a great cross pass from Flores.

Schick then had a good opening in the 67th minute after cutting from the right with his left foot, but his effort took a turn and he overtook Hoare.

McCarey then came to Dundalk’s rescue twice in quick succession shortly after, first throwing a header around Sonnleitner’s post before saving Demir from close range.

However, Rapid took the lead in the 79th minute, when Schick kept a deep center alive by shooting from a tight angle. McCarey could only clear it with Arase in hand to head to a practically empty net.

However, there would be a lifeguard two minutes later when substitute Nathan Oduwa’s pass was cut off by Sonnleitner, who caught McMillan with a follow-up challenge as he tried to enter. McMillan then shot the resulting penalty into the net even though the keeper was given a hand to make it 2-2.

Dundalk then had a great opportunity to take the lead with four minutes to go when Sloggett found Sean Murray’s corner virtually unmarked, but somehow failed to find his target.

That failure proved costly as Hofmann led Rapid two minutes later after McCarey came through a cross from Stojković and was unable to get there.

They were then caught at halftime in the 90th minute with Demir shooting through the hapless goalkeeper into the lower right corner.

There would be late drama as Oduwa earned a second penalty for his team following a foul by Stojković that McMillan dispatched in the 96th minute, but there was no time to seek a draw as Dundalk stayed to reflect on what could have been.

Gartler, Stojković, Hofmann, Barać (Sonnleitner 54); Schick, Ljubicic, Knasmüllner (Demir 72), Petrovic (Grahovac 72), Ullmann; Kara, Arase.

McCarey; Hoare, Cleary, Boyle, Leahy (Dummigan 65); Shields, Flores (Murray 76); Gannon (Mountney 65), Sloggett, Duffy (Oduwa 72); Hoban (McMillan 76).

Trustin Farrugia Cann (Malta).