Uefa Conference League second qualifying: Cliftonville 1-2 Auda (Result)
Irish Cup winners Cliftonville join competition in second qualifying round.
FK Auda advanced past B36 Torshaven in the first qualifying round.
Ryan Curran returns to Cliftonville side after lengthy injury
Cliftonville 0-1 FK Auda
That goal has sparked tensions on the sideline.
Jim Magilton and Zoran Zeljkovic engage in a heated verbal spat, resulting in both managers being cautioned.
The game has become more heated now, with the touchline drama reflecting the growing intensity on the pitch.
Abiodun Ogunniyi - 32 mins
FK Auda breaks the deadlock, and it's a poor one from a Cliftonville perspective.
The Reds fail to deal with a corner as the ball bounces to Ogunniyi. The 22-year-old seizes the moment, volleying past David Odumosu from close range.
The home crowd meanwhile boo the midfielder, who runs to the Reds faithful in celebration.
Image source, PacemakerCliftonville 0-0 FK Auda
A chance to catch our breath in this intriguing European tie as Michael Newberry receives treatment for a cut on his head.
After some early nerves, the North Belfast side has more than matched their Latvian opponent, and Jim Magilton will be hoping his troops can step it up a gear.
Cliftonville 0-0 FK Auda
David Odumosu's heart skips a beat as he spills the ball into Abdulrahman Taiwo's path.
The Reds stopper watches anxiously, but the Auda attacker fails to capitalise on the gift.
Sean Stewart comes to the rescue, hooking the ball clear.
Cliftonville 0-0 FK Auda
Shea Gordon looks set to strike with his left foot from distance, but the less said about that attempt, the better.
The former Larne man's effort sees the ball tamely roll wide of Krisjanis Zviedris' goal, never troubling the Auda keeper.
Cliftonville 0-0 FK Auda
Just as quickly as the Reds could have been ahead, they now find themselves under threat.
El Hadj Mane picks out Abdulrahman Taiwo in the area, but the Auda striker's first-time effort fails to hit the target.
The game is sparking into life now, with both sides showing their attacking intent.
Cliftonville 0-0 FK Auda
A huge chance for Jim Magilton's side to break the deadlock!
Sean Stewart whips in a dangerous ball to the back post, and it finds its way to Ruaidhri Donnelly.
The former Glentoran man seems certain to score from close range, but Krisjanis Zviedris produces a superb save to deny him.
Cliftonville 0-0 FK Auda
FK Auda are now starting to play more in the Cliftonville half.
Midway through their domestic season, could fitness levels and sharpness play a part?
The visitors look more settled, their match rhythm evident, while Cliftonville are still finding their feet in these early minutes.
Cliftonville 0-0 FK Auda
Mor Talla shoots from just outside the area, but the frontman drags his effort wide and lets out a scream of frustration, and you can see why.
He should at least be hitting the target from there.
Cliftonville 0-0 FK Auda
The first sight at goal falls to the visitors, but Mor Talla's cutback is too close to David Odumosu, who swiftly smothers the ball to reclaim possession.
Talla is one to watch for the Reds faithful, having scored in the previous round against B36.
Cliftonville 0-0 FK Auda
Just a few minutes on the clock and nerves are evident.
Both sides inexplicably play the ball out of touch without any pressure, surrendering possession.
The atmosphere is charged, with neither team finding their rhythm in these early exchanges.
Cliftonville 0-0 FK Auda
The action is underway at Solitude!
Cliftonville begin their European quest, seeking only their sixth win in 41 continental outings.
Can the Reds improve their record tonight?
Cliftonville vs Auda (19:45 BST)
Cliftonville forward Ryan Curran admits that he "didn't think he was going to be coming back" after a prolonged period out with a groin injury.
Curran spent close to two years out with the injury that first plagued him in the 2022 League Cup final.
But having recovered from surgery last November, the striker is raring to go for the new season which starts with Wednesday's Uefa Conference League second qualifying round first leg against Latvian side Auda at Solitude.
"I was going through a rough period for 12-16 months so I’m glad to be back in pre-season, it’s just a start but fingers crossed I can last a bit longer this time," Curran told BBC Sport NI.
Image source, InphoRyan Curran is fit again for Cliftonville
Cliftonville vs FK Auda (19:45 BST)
Reds fans will have plenty of early opportunities to watch their team in action on BBC NI this season.
Details of the first 11 Irish Premiership matches of the upcoming season that will be streamed live on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website have been announced with Cliftonville set to feature three times in the first batch of games.
Jim Magilton's side will be shown when taking on Portadown, Linfield and Larne.
Image source, InphoCliftonville versus Larne is among the league fixtures that will be shown live
Cliftonville vs FK Auda (19:45 BST)
Crusaders have confirmed that attacking midfielder Ben Kennedy has been made available to other clubs ahead of the start of the 2024-25 Irish Premiership season.
"Both parties were unable to agree on a new contract extension and mutually agree that Ben pursues new opportunities away from Crusaders FC," read a statement from the club.
Image source, Press EyeBen Kennedy looks set to leave Seaview
Cliftonville vs FK Auda (19:45 BST)
Auda arrive in Belfast off the back of their first ever wins in continental competition after a home and away double over B36 Torshahavn in the first round.
The Latvian side were unseeded in that particular tie but still won 2-0 at home and followed it up with a 1-0 win in the Faroes.
For some perspective, though, they presently sit sixth in their domestic league, some 31 points behind league leaders RFS who swept Irish Premiership champions Larne aside 7-0 on aggregate this month.
Cliftonville vs FK Auda (19:45 BST)
Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton hands debuts to three of his four summer signings with Michael Newberry, Luke Conlan, and Ruaidhri Donnelly all named in the starting XI, while Shaun Leppard takes a spot on the bench.
Sean Stewart, who recently made his move to Solitude permanent following a successful season-long loan with the north Belfast club, also starts.
In a significant boost for the Reds, Ryan Curran makes his first competitive start in 14 months, adding vital experience to a much-changed Cliftonville side.
The visitors enter this fixture riding a four-game winning streak as manager Zoran Zeljković makes two changes to the side that secured a 1-0 victory over B36 in the second leg of the first qualifying round.
Ilja Korotkovs and Abdulrahman Taiwo step into the starting lineup, replacing Abdoul Traore and Moussa Ouedraogo, as the Latvian side aim to continue their impressive form in this year's competition.
Cliftonville: Odumosu, Pepper, Stewart, Addis, Newberry, Kearney, Curran, Donnelly, Conlon, Gordon, Doherty
Subs: Breen, Leppard, Jordan, Gormley, McGuiness, Berry, Wylie, Corrigan, Sheridan
FK Auda: Zviedris, Hrvoj, Clemente, Ogunniyi, Mane, Melniks, Korotkovs, Taiwo, Bosancic, Tavares, Talla
Subs: Sturins, Saveljevs, Ramos, Ogunji, Isajevs, Rubenis
Image source, BBC SportCliftonville vs FK Auda (19:45 BST)
Plenty has changed at Solitude since that Irish Cup success, not least among Jim Magilton's striking options.
Two-goal cup final hero Ronan Hale joined Scottish Premiership side Ross County and has already impressed at his new club, scoring a quite outrageous goal against Hamilton Academical in a Premier Sports Cup group game last night.
Former team-mate Ben Wilson has also hit the ground running in that competition for his new club Airdrie, while Sam Ashford left for Wealdstone FC.
With plenty of firepower headed out the exit door, the Reds made a move for Ruaidhri Donnelly, bringing the striker back for a third spell at Solitude after his release from Glentoran.
Image source, InphoCliftonville saw three strikers depart in the summer including Ronan Hale
Cliftonville vs FK Auda (19:45 BST)
After a chastening two weeks for Irish Premiership teams in European action, tonight it's the turn of the Irish Cup winners.
(How good does that sound, by the way, Cliftonville fans?)
Due to that historic success over Linfield at Windsor Park back in May, Jim Magilton's side enter the Uefa Conference League at the second round stage and they'll welcome Auda of Latvia to Solitude tonight for the first-leg of their tie.
Thanks for joining us for live text coverage of the game.
Image source, Inpho
Cliftonville twice fell behind in their first leg defeat at Solitude
Cliftonville face a daunting challenge in the away leg of their Uefa Conference League second-round qualifier after succumbing to a 2-1 defeat by FK Auda at Solitude.
The Reds' European aspirations hang in the balance after they failed to capitalise on home advantage in the first leg of the tie, leaving the Irish Cup winners with a mountain to climb in the return fixture.
The Latvian side silenced the passionate Solitude crowd when breaking the deadlock in the 32nd minute. The Cliftonville defence was caught flat-footed as El Hadj Mane's teasing corner caused havoc in the six-yard box.
The opportunistic Abiodun Ogunniyi pounced on the confusion, volleying with precision beyond a stranded David Odumosu and sending shockwaves through the home support.
However, the Reds' response was swift and emphatic. Just seven minutes later, debutant Luke Conlan drew the hosts level as Bruno Tavares floundered under the pressure of Shea Gordon's whipped corner. Conlan seized the moment, rifling the ball past Krisjanis Zviedris.
The match ebbed and flowed thereafter as both sides jostled for supremacy. Yet, it was Zoran Zeljkovic's charges who landed the decisive blow with 13 minutes remaining.
The experienced Jonny Addis misjudged his challenge on the elusive Abdulrahman Taiwo who then calmly slotted past Odumosu for his second goal of the campaign to leave Cliftonville's European dreams hanging by a thread.
Cliftonville will rue a catalogue of missed opportunities before Auda's winner.
As early as the 15th minute they had threatened to take the lead when a moment of attacking brilliance saw Sean Stewart deliver an inch-perfect cross from the left flank.
The returning Ruaidhri Donnelly met it with purpose, his effort destined for the net until Auda captain Zviedris produced a save of breath-taking quality, stretching every sinew to deny the frontman.
Just after the hour mark, Stewart's tantalizing cross eluded Ryan Curran and Donnelly in the six-yard area, exasperating the Solitude faithful.
The near misses continued when, four minutes before the decisive winning goal, centre-back Addis unleashed a thunderbolt from distance. Yet again, the inspired Zviedris proved equal to the task, acrobatically palming the ball to safety.
Despite the setback, Jim Magilton's charges must now win the return leg in Latvia for what would be only their sixth European victory in 42 attempts.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 14 |
| |
| 2 | Slovan Bratislava | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 10 |
|
| 3 | Olimpija | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 9 | -5 | 6 |
|
| 4 | KÍ | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 9 | -4 | 4 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 15 |
|
| 2 | Gent | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 7 | 9 | 13 |
|
| 3 | Zorya | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 11 | -1 | 7 |
|
| 4 | Breidablik | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 18 | -13 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Viktoria Plzeň | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 18 |
|
| 2 | Dinamo Zagreb | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 9 |
|
| 3 | Astana | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 13 | -9 | 4 |
|
| 4 | Ballkani | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 4 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Club Brugge | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 3 | 12 | 16 |
|
| 2 | Bodø / Glimt | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 10 |
|
| 3 | Beşiktaş | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 14 | -7 | 4 |
|
| 4 | Lugano | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 14 | -8 | 4 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 13 |
| |
| 2 | Legia Warszawa | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 12 |
|
| 3 | AZ | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 12 | -5 | 6 |
|
| 4 | Zrinjski | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 10 | -4 | 4 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 12 |
| |
| 2 | Ferencváros | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 10 |
|
| 3 | Genk | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 9 |
|
| 4 | Čukarički | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 16 | -14 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PAOK | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 10 | 6 | 16 |
|
| 2 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 9 |
| |
| 3 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 6 |
| |
| 4 | HJK | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 17 | -10 | 2 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fenerbahçe | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 11 | 2 | 12 |
|
| 2 | Ludogorets | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 12 |
|
| 3 | Nordsjælland | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 7 | 10 | 10 |
|
| 4 | Spartak Trnava | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 15 | -12 | 1 |
|
Manager: Jim Magilton
Manager: Zoran Zeljkovic
Manager: Jim Magilton
Manager: Zoran Zeljkovic
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