Dutch Hold Dons To Stalemate

Aberdeen are still in with a chance of progressing from this 2^nd qualifying round after a stalemate at Pittodrie. Groningen FC proved to be a stern test for Aberdeen holding firm and looked solid at the back whilst not creating too much going forward.

 It was certainly the Dons for the majority of the game who were more willing to go in search of that opening goal, yet it did not come, leaving the tie finely poised. Aberdeen it could be said, were the slightly better of the two sides throughout the game and looked the more likely to score and are more than capable of going over to the north east of the Netherlands and getting the result they need.

The early stages of the game was very much a scrappy affair as both teams were sizing each other up which did not allow a rhythm to develop. Aberdeen’s first attempt on goal was fashioned by Robson as he received the ball from Pawlett at the edge of the box. His back was to goal but a quick turn allowed him the space to get the shot off, however it sailed harmlessly wide. Good pressure from the Dons though.

It was clear that both managers had carefully planned their tactics with attentive detail as the game had the feel of a chess match. When one team had the ball the other would drop off and shape up to allow for good structure and balance to the sides. An air of cautiousness also drifted around the stadium as neither team wanted to be the first to put a foot wrong.

A weak shot from Hoeson was the first touch of the ball Langfield had and he had no bother picking the trundle up from the surface.  Aberdeen then found an opening in the visiting defence through main man Peter Pawlett on 12 minutes. His quick burst of pace drove him past the central defender but his shot was at a good height for the keeper to make the save. Yet he parried into the area and the ball could have gone anywhere before going behind for a corner to the Dons. The home support roared their team on.

The men in red very much dominated the opening half without giving Groningen too much to worry about, yet it was the visitors who almost took the lead just before the break. Mark Reynolds looked to have denied the ball getting into the box from a wide delivery but a Groningen player nipped in preventing it from going out of play and turned the ball goalwards. Agonisingly it rolled across the face of the Aberdeen goal before Jack managed to clear.

The second half continued in the same fashion as the first. The Dutch looked comfortable in possession while Aberdeen were happy to work without the ball and attack when they did. The final ball seemed to be lacking for Aberdeen. When composure was needed most at a set piece the ball would be over hit not troubling the Groningen defence.

The Dons’ best chance of the half came from when McGinn burst down the left hand wing to the by-line and cut the ball back into a great area, but nobody was there to tap the ball home. Extremely frustrating stuff for the 16,500 supporters watching on.

The game then died down in terms of tempo and chances as neither side wanted to give the other team something. Goodwillie was brought on for Rooney but did not see enough of the ball to make a difference but did look sharp. As the match drew to a close a stalemate looked inevitable but one last break from the Dutch outfit had Aberdeen hearts in mouths, but luckily the snapshot from substitute Islamovic was forced wide.

A stale mate is not a bad result for Aberdeen as from what we showed last night, more than capable of leaving the north east of Holland with a third qualifying round tie in the bag. We just need to believe. Also great credit ahs to be given to both sets of supporters who helped create a magnificent atmosphere, one of the best Pittodrie has experienced in a while.

FT: Aberdeen 0-0 Groningen