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Trivia
- Celtic win 2-1 on aggregate and go to the final qualifying round in the Champions League group stage.
- Celtic's first win away in the Champions League competition since 2003.
- Tony Mowbray's first competitive match win as manager of Celtic.
Review
You have to be proud of the side after this performance. Going into the match, many doom mongers (including this writer) were pessimistic, but Tony Mowbray is a different man. An indifferent performance last week saw us squander our home advantage and we had to win this game to keep our hopes of Champions League matches alive.
We controlled the first half as Dynamo simply sat back and tried to soak in the pressure. We weren't too clever and had few if any real shots at goal, but a few moments form half-time a wonderful cross by Hinkel found Skippy's head to knock into the back of the net. A different second half as Dinamo feebly tried to crawl back into the game, but Celtic were on top yet continually squandered our advantages and the stats read that Dynamo had more shots on target. Realistically, Celtic were just biding our time and when Maloney was gifted a good opportunity close to the end of the match he should have but didn't score!!! Yet we weren't finished and with extra-time and penalties looming, we were in for a fight until a long ball into the penalty box to Samara saw the Greek striker pull off one of his finest ever goals. He took the ball and danced around a few players before cooly slotting the ball into the corner of the net in injury time! We'd won the game the two-nil as really there was no time for the Russians to get back into the game.
Ya beauty. After a long time, we'd finally got a great result pulled from the death, and we all enjoyed the quality of the play. Not all was perfect but it was a bright start for our new manager. The next round though will be far harder than this one.
Teams
Dinamo Moscow: Gabulov, Kowalcyzk, Fernandez, Kolodin, Granat, Kirill Kombarov, Khokhlov, Wilkshire, Svezhov, Dmitri Kombarov, Kerzhakov.
Subs: Shunin, Smolov, Dimidko, Tanasijevic, Ropotan, Denisov, Kokorin.
Celtic:
Boruc,
Hinkel, Caldwell, Loovens, Daniel Fox,
McGeady, Donati, N'Guemo, Maloney,
McDonald, Fortune.
Subs: Zaluska, Scott Brown, O'Dea, Caddis, Crosas, Killen, Samaras.
Referee: Jonas Eriksson (Sweden)
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Samaras the hero for Celtic.
06 August 2009
Provided by: Irish Times
SOCCER/Dinamo Moscow 0 Celtic 2/Celtic win 2-1 on aggregate: CELTIC CREATED history in the most dramatic fashion as they overcame a first-leg deficit to battle past Dinamo Moscow in their Champions League third qualifier.
Celtic had never won a European tie after losing the first game at Celtic Park but Scott McDonald’s header a minute from the break in the Arena Khimki levelled the tie 1-1 on aggregate.
The game looked to be heading for extra-time but in the final minute a sensational goal by substitute Georgios Samaras, on for McDonald, sent the Parkhead side into the Champions League play-offs and ended a six-year drought on their European travels.
Celtic should also give an extra bonus to Andreas Hinkel, as the German defender made both goals and knocked two Dinamo efforts off the line in a pulsating night in Russia.
When the draw is made tomorrow, Celtic will be in the hat with names such as Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Stuttgart, Lyon and Fiorentina, and it is a place they richly deserve. Dinamo’s borrowed 18,000-capacity stadium was well short of capacity with only a couple of hundred Celtic fans in the stadium.
Danny Fox made his European debut for Celtic as replacement for Lee Naylor while Massimo Donati was given the nod over fit-again Scott Brown.
The first half went the way manager Tony Mowbray had predicted with Celtic having plenty of the ball. But in the ninth minute Dinamo striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov tested Artur Boruc with a curling effort from the edge of the box that the Hoops keeper gathered with ease.
Celtic continued to pass with confidence, winning a couple of corners in quick succession, albeit with no threat to the Dinamo goal.
The Parkhead side’s first real attempt on goal, in fact, did not arrive until the 26th minute when midfielder Shaun Maloney tried to power in a drive from 30 yards but watched it skip harmlessly through to- Vladimir Gabulov in the Dinamo goal.
The home side seemed content to sit in and look for the break, very much the way they had approached the first game in Glasgow, and at times a better pass or better vision may have caused Celtic problems.
But the visitors eventually got their rewards a minute from the break when striker Marc-Antoine Fortune, relatively anonymous thus far, knocked the ball back to Hinkel on the right.
He curled a high ball to the back post and McDonald headed past Gabulov for the simplest but most important of goals.
There was still time for Hinkel to clear an effort from Dinamo skipper Dmitri Khokhlov off the line as the home side responded but it was a deserved interval lead for Celtic. It was a charged-up Celtic side who came out after the break determined to add to their lead. However, a moment of slackness in the visiting defence after 52 minutes, when they failed to deal with a Khokhlov cross, allowed Dmitry Kombarov space at the back post. The Dinamo midfielder struck his left-footed shot with decent power but it sped a yard past Boruc’s left-hand post.
Then, as Dinamo stepped up the pace, Dmitry Kombarov’s corner from the right was headed goalwards by twin brother Kirill Kombarov but, although Boruc was beaten down to his right, Hinkel again was on the line to clear.
Then in the final minute, Samaras took a long, searching Hinkel pass inside the box, weaved past three Dinamo defenders and slotted past Gabulov for the goal that saw Celtic through.
Afterwards a delighted Tony Mowbray insisted Celtic got what they deserved.
“I think we got what we deserved in the end,” he said. “I think over the two 90 minutes, the better team came through the tie.
“I said all along they’re a very good side, a very organised side, but they at times lacked the individual quality that I thought we had and that’s shown tonight.
“I thought we controlled the game for long, long spells and got our rewards in the end.”
DINAMO MOSCOW: V Gabulov; M Kowalczyk, L Fernandez (Ropotan 90), K Kombarov, D Khokhlov, D Kombarov, A Kerzhakov, V Granat, L Wilkshire, D Kolodin, V Svezhov (A Kokorin 84). Subs not used: Shunin, Tanasijevic, Smolov, Dimidko, Denisov. Booked: Svezhov (68).
CELTIC: A Boruc, A Hinkel, G Caldwell, L Nguemo, S McDonald (G Samaras 79), M-Antoine Fortune (S Brown 69), D Fox, S Maloney, M Donati, G Loovens, A McGeady. Subs not used: Zaluska, Crosas, Killen, ODea, Caddis. Booked: Nguemo (78).
Referee: J Eriksson (Sweden)
(c) 2009, The Irish Times.
Irish Times
Celtic v Dinamo as it happened (BBC)
1909: After a nerve-shredding second half in Moscow, Celtic clinch their place in the final qualifying round of the Champions League. Manager Tony Mowbray secures his first competitive win in his second game in charge of the club. Thanks for all your comments tonight, see you soon!
Red and Black on My Sport: "Great result. Travel sickness cured!"
1858: Mowbray has just told BBC Scotland that his Celtic side deserved their win in Moscow, and to progress in the competition. Potential opponents for the Glasgow club in the final qualifying round are: Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Fiorentina, Lyon and Stuttgart.
1854: Have you got your breath back yet, Celtic supporters? Manager Tony Mowbray guides his side to the final qualifying round of the Champions League, and with it, secures the club's first away victory in the competition since 2003.
1852: FULL-TIME DINAMO MOSCOW 0-2 CELTIC (1-2 Agg)
1850: Four minutes into injury time. Celtic supporters inside the stadium are jubilant; the Dinamo players look shell-shocked. All eyes on the referee but play rages on.
1848: Georgios Samaras waltzes past a couple of Dinamo Moscow defenders inside the penalty area before arrowing an accurate shot low past the despairing Gabulov. Celtic have a crucial second goal, and, as things stand, are going through 2-1 on aggregate.
1847: GOAL DINAMO MOSCOW 0-2 CELTIC
1846: Shaun Maloney fires the ball straight down the throat of Dinamo goalkeeper Gabulov. What a chance!
1843: After such a tight first half, the game is now more stretched than the waistbands on Celebrity Fit Club. Just over three minutes of the 90 remaining.
1841: Celtic midfielder Scott Brown threads a superb ball through the Dinamo Moscow defence, but fellow substitute Georgios Samaras fails to time his run and is rightly flagged offside. What a chance! The Greek will hope Celtic won't rue his mistake.
1837: Eight minutes remaining and Shaun Maloney is increasingly looking like the Celtic's sole creative outlet. Another mazy run is cut short for a handball.
1835: Georgios Samaras is brought on as goalscorer Scott McDonald trudges off. The towering Greek striker will bust a gut to fire a dramatic second goal to clinch the tie for Celtic.
Requiem7 on My Sport in reply to Kambalautd:"Whether Celtic deserve a place in the champions league is neither here nor there. It'll be an achievement if they get through to the league stages."
1830: There's a little over 15 minutes left at Khimki Stadium. With the sides tied at 1-1, extra-time and penalties look more than likely.
1828: Celtic right-back Andreas Hinkel dinks a beautiful cross to the back box, just asking to be headed home. But Fortune is cooling his heels on the bench after being replaced by Brown, and the Dinamo Moscow defence mop up the danger.
BBC Radio Scotland pundit Murdo MacLeod: "I think Tony Mowbray wants to ensure his side win the midfield battle."
1825: Scott Brown is introduced for Marc-Antoine Fortune. Can Celtic find a second goal to win the tie? It's still 1-1 on aggregate.
Kambalautd chips in from over on My Sport: "I wish Celtic, with this sluggish performance, could be shown the exit door. They don't deserve a place in the Champion League." A touch harsh?
1820: Celtic manager Tony Mowbray, with hand on Scott Brown's shoulder, gives the substitute a few tactical words on the touchline. We may see the former Hibs midfielder introduced before much longer.
1818: Shaun Maloney goes dancing down the left-hand side, but a sea of blue jerseys swarm around the diminutive midfielder and Dinamo Moscow regain possession. Just under half an hour for either of these sides to find a winner.
1812: Andreas Hinkel atones for his earlier howler by clearing Kombarov's header off the line. Celtic clinging on to their 1-0 lead here.
1808: Dreadful mistake by Celtic right-back Andreas Hinkel as he inexplicably allows a cross to slip under his foot, but Dinamo Moscow fail to profit as Svezhov's shot fizzes wide of Artur Boruc's left-hand post.
1803: The Dinamo Moscow fans give a low roar before launching into song in an effort to energise their troops. They looked far more menacing in the first leg with Alexander Kokorin up front. Come to think of it, he must have the highest shirt number in football – 99.
1801: The second half is under way.
1749: Well then… Scott McDonald's goal has brightened up a fairly drab first half and given Celtic hope of progressing to the next qualifying round of the Champions League. Remember folks, refresh the page to see the latest scores from tonight's other games.
1746: Half-time in the Khimki Stadium. Celtic lead 1-0 tonight and the tie – it's 1-1 on aggregate.
1743: GOAL Dinamo 0-1 Celtic. Andreas Hinkel's deep cross finds the head of Scott McDonald, and the Australian international steers a header beyond Gabulov from close range. The tie is level. Game on!
1737: Celtic defender Glenn Loovens chops down Dinamo number 10 Aleksandr Kerzhakov just outside the box. The playmaker dusts himself down but fires the ball into the Celtic wall. We're still goalless going into the final five minutes of the first half. Dinamo will be happy enough.
1734: Celtic are crying out for a creative influence in the middle of the park.
1733: With Dinamo enjoying a 1-0 lead from the first leg, they look reluctant to throw too many men forward. Marc-Antoine Fortune forces a corner for Tony Mowbray's side, but again the delivery is poor. Still goalless after 33 minutes of a low-key first half.
1729: Shaun Maloney has the first shot on target for Celtic from about 25 yards, but it trundles into the arms of Gabulov.
1726: Bringthemonjpn on My Sport says: "Celtic don not need to go for the early goal. Slow the play down Bhoys. The left side is as open as a public park."
1717: Celtic have been unable to fashion a clear-cut chance. Tony Mowbray must be looking for more from his midfield.
1713: Shaun Maloney fires Celtic's first corner kick of the match into the box, but the Dinamo defence is alive to the danger and the ball is cleared. A chink of light for Tony Mowbray's men, though. The Russians look far from happy dealing with cross balls…
1710: Celtic midfielder Aiden McGeady is getting a lot of the ball, but has yet to deliver a telling cross. Dinamo Moscow coach Andrey Kobelev cuts a nervous-looking figure in the Dinamo dugout. Sporting a smart suit, he looks like he could be off to watch the fourth Ashes Test at Headingley!
1707: The Russians, just like in the first leg in Glasgow, are keeping their shape and proving difficult to break down. Neither goalkeeper has been called into action.
1705: Dinamo Moscow coach Andrey Kobelev said before the game that his side should use the 2005 Champions League final as evidence that Celtic could still win the tie. He said Liverpool's comeback from three nil down against AC Milan to win on penaltie illustrated that anything's possible.
1702: Celtic have started in confident fashion, but Andreas Hinkel's cross is easily snuffed out by the blue ring of steel in front of Gabulov's goal.
1700: We're under way!
1657: In the first leg, Celtic suffered from a lack of proper service from the flanks. Tony Mowbray will be looking for his full-backs, Aiden McGeady and Shaun Maloney to offer better service for Scott McDonald and Marc-Antoine Fortune.
1656: TEAMS Dinamo Moscow: Gabulov, Kowalcyzk, Fernandez, Kolodin, Granat, Kirill Kombarov, Khokhlov, Wilkshire, Svezhov, Dmitri Kombarov, Kerzhakov. Subs: Shunin, Smolov, Dimidko, Tanasijevic, Ropotan, Denisov, Kokorin. Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, Loovens, Daniel Fox, McGeady, Donati, N'Guemo, Maloney, McDonald, Fortune. Subs: Zaluska, Scott Brown, O'Dea, Caddis, Crosas, Killen, Samaras.
1655: Actually, it's being played at the Khimki Stadium, my apologies!
1645: Dynamo Stadium, where Moscow normally play their home games, is being renovated. Tonight's game is being played at the Luzhniki Stadium, home of Spartak and CSKA Moscow. Dinamo recorded a win there last season – their first in 20 years. So, it's not their favourite ground. A good omen?
1640: For Dinamo, captain Dmitry Khokhlov, who missed the first game through suspension, comes into the side at the expense of teenage striker Alexander Kokorin, who scored the winner against Celtic.
1639: Danny Fox comes in for Lee Naylor at left-back for Celtic. Otherwise, Mowbray puts out the same side that lost at Celtic Park last Wednesday.
1632: The new Celtic manager Tony Mowbray has his work cut out in Russia. Trailing 1-0 from the first leg against Dinamo Moscow, Mowbray's men need to find their shooting boots.
1630: Good evening and a very warm welcome to our coverage of Celtic's quest to qualify for this season's Champions League.