17-year-old Aidomo Emakhu made it a European night to remember as he scored a late injury time winner for Shamrock Rovers in their Europa Conference League first-leg tie against FK Teuta of Albania.
With time running out, Emakhu was found unmarked at the back post to slam home into the net after some great play from Daniel Mandroiu found the teenager.
It was a well-deserved win for the hosts who dominated their Albanian opposition. And it proved to be the perfect tonic for the young forward who netted his first ever senior goal for the club.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 👇
💚 @AidomoE #RoversInEurope pic.twitter.com/5reVrZaah3— Shamrock Rovers FC ☘️ (@ShamrockRovers) August 5, 2021
17-year-old Emakhu seals late Rovers win in Europe
Tallaght Stadium is well used to big European nights. And this Shamrock Rovers side, built by Stephen Bradley, and his often ridiculed ‘project’, is made for the European stage.
They sought to prove that against Albanian champions KF Teuta. And they did, despite a seriously frustrating night before Emakuhu's late winner.
During a week dominated by the positive exploits of League of Ireland clubs in Europe, it was Rovers turn to deliver.
Bohemians won against PAOK, and we had THAT Patrick McEleney goal for Dundalk against Vitesse Arnhem. But most of the talk in Dublin 24 centred itself around the imminent departure of Liam Scales.
And regardless of the talk surrounding his future, the Co. Wicklow man was picked to start as talk intensified over a potential move to the Premier League, or Celtic.
Teuta came into the Tallaght cauldron following a stirring comeback win over Andorran side Inter Club d’Escaldes.
But this was an Andorran side they beat, and the Hoops had just won a leg against Slovan Bratislava in their last European tie.
Rovers, however, could only begin to show signs of life after 15 minutes of play, as the Albanians came to frustrate rather than play.
Richie Towell won two successive corners, with Scales rising highest off the latter, although, the former Irish international could not convert.
His defensive counterpart Lee Grace would then go close himself moments later from a Watts free-kick, but he too could not make the most of his own opportunity.
Their best chance of a lively spell came through Rory Gaffney’s ingenuity. Although, Daniel Mandroiu could only shoot straight at Stivi Frasheri with a tame strike on goal.
As the half wore on, a raucous home support grew more and more restless as Norwegian referee Kai Erik Steen let more and more go. It was that frustration, however, that led to the biggest cheer of the first-half Asion Daja was cautioned for a late lunge on Scales.
But the Hoops could not break down a stubborn, yet very limited Teuta, as the Norwegian referee blew the half-time whistle.
Sensing their side had turn the screw against their lifeless opponents, the home support cranked up the volume after a quick start to the second-half from their charges.
That noise would ratchet up another level as Grace once again went close with a header. But Frasheri was on hand to save at his near-post.
And again, a vociferous South Stand would awaken as Towell went close after a corner-kick routine broke down.
It was obvious that Teuta were not here to play in the opening half, it was increasingly the case as the neared the dying embers of the game.
Frasheri was more interested in falling to the ground than he was trying to start attacks as Teuta ate up valuable seconds that felt like an eternity.
But then, it came. At long last, Bradley’s Hoops had broken down the team that were set up to do nothing.
Mandroiu danced around a hapless Teuta defence, playing the ball across the face of goal to teenager Aidomo Emakhu who slammed home for Rovers at the back post.
It was the 17-year-old’s first real involvement in the game having come on as a last throw of the dice by Bradley to ensure a dream night for the teenager, scoring his first European goal for the club.
And what a time it was to do just that.
SEE ALSO: Watch: Patrick McEleney Wonder Goal Helps Dundalk To Famous European Result
