Glentoran 0 - 3 KR Reykjavík

Glentoran missed their chance to progress to the second qualifying round of the Europa League with a 3-0 loss against Icelandic outfit, KR Reykjavík, in front of a bumper crowd at The Oval.

The Glens started the game brightly and looked to create threatening opportunities early on. New signing Mark Miskimmon had an early strike saved by Hannes Halldorsson while Jim O’Hanlon also looked to be causing the KR Reykjavík defence problems from the off.

However, it was the visitors who broke the deadlock when Englishman, Gary Martin, put the Icelandic side ahead on 23 minutes at the expense of Elliot Morris, meaning the Glens now trailed 1-0 on aggregate.

On the half hour mark, the game took a bizarre twist when Bulgarian referee, Georgi Kabalov, booked KR’s Balder Sigurdsson due to the player’s undershorts being a different colour to that of his playing shorts. While play resumed, Reykjavík opted for a more defensive approach to see out the rest of the first half - Bjarni Gudjonsson in particular providing some robust challenges for the Icelandic outfit.

With the Glens trailing 1-0 going into the second half, they responded with greater attacking mentality in search for an equaliser. However, KR looked to be dangerous on the counter with Oskar Hauksson and Jonas Saevarsson forcing Morris to make some crucial saves on the hour mark.

While searching for an equaliser, Glentoran suffered an extreme set-back as the visitors doubled their lead. Kjartan Finnbogason set up Saevarsson who fired the ball into the top corner to give their side a priceless two away goals.

Despite Reykjavík looking to be in cruise control, they pressed for another and came close just minutes after their second goal. Hauksson looked to have beaten Elliot Morris but Jimmy Callacher’s last second ditch looked to save the Glentoran keeper further blushes with an overhead kick.

As the rest of the second half unfolded, KR looked to demonstrate their class as they dictated the majority of play. The comparisons of match fit professionals mid-way through their season with that of semi-professional players still in pre-season were evident for all to see, as Glentoran struggled to match their opponents.

The visitors eventually put the final nail in the coffin as Saevarsson grabbed his second of the game during injury time to seal a 3-0 victory and a meeting with Standard Liege in the next round.

Regardless, it was a valiant performance from Eddie Paterson’s young side who can certainly take positives from both legs of the European tie going into the 2013/14 Northern Ireland Football League season. For now, Glentoran’s European dream will have to wait for another season.

Glentoran: Elliott Morris; Jay magee, Marcus Kane, Richard Clarke, Kevin Bradley; Stephen McAlorum (Steven Gordon 85), David Howland, Mark Clarke, Jimmy Gallacher, Jim O'Hanlon (Carl McComb 70); Mark Miskimmon (Jordan Hughes 70).
Subs not used: Aaron Hogg, William Garrett, Stephen McCullough.

KR Reykjavik: Hannes Halldorsson; Gretar Sigurdsson, Haukur Hauksson, Gudmundur Gunnarsson; Baldur Sigurdsson (Thorsteinn Mar Ragnarsson 73), Jonas Saevarsson, Oskar Hauksson, Bjarni Gudjonsson, Emil Atlason (Torfi Karl Olafsson 88); Gary Martin, Kjartan Finnbogason.
Subs not used: Runar Runarsson (gk), Gunnar Thor Gunnarsson, Brynjar Gunnarsson, Aron Josepsson, Atli Sigurjonsson.

Referee: Georgi Kabakov (Bulgaria).