Slovan Liberec 2 Shamrock Rovers 0
Shamrock Rovers went down 2-0 to experienced European campaigners Slovan Liberec in the Intertoto Cup second round first leg clash in the Czech Republic today.
Against a full-time side boasting several Czech internationals, Rovers produced a brave display. But their lack of European experience was shown up by Liberec - who last season beat Dinamo Tbilisi and Ipswich Town in the UEFA Cup after being knocked out of the Champions League on away goals by eventual winners AC Milan.
But the Dublin side produced plenty of good football and Liberec will know that they cannot take next week's second leg in Dublin lightly.
The Czechs started the game intent on taking an early lead with Thomas Janu going close in the first five minutes, but Rovers hit back with Stephen Grant missing several half-chances in the early stages.
Liberec were beginning to find their range and Barry Ryan needed to make a wonderful save from Filip Holosko in the 12th minute. But from the resulting corner the Czechs took the lead when Thomas Zapotoeny crashed the ball into the net off the crossbar from close range.
Nine minutes later it was 2-0 when David Langer fired home from the edge of the area as the ball fell invitingly for him after Rovers had failed to clear a Liberec attack.
Rovers then regrouped and Tony Grant flashed a shot wide in the 26th minute before Glen Fitzpatrick missed their best chance of the game when he shot straight at goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky when put clean through on goal.
Trevor Molloy was introduced at half-time and he added some guile to the Rovers attack, creating several opportunities. From one, Tony Grant had the ball in the net but the goal was ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper by Stephen Grant.
Rovers needed Ryan to be at his best on several occasions as he saved from Janu. In the final minutes Molloy headed tamely over the bar from six yards after racing onto James Keddy's cross in what was the last chance of the game.
PA