Late lapse costs Hoops in first leg draw with KuPS
Shamrock Rovers drew 1-1 against Finnish side KuPS in the first leg of their Conference League playoff after conceding a late equalizer. The result adds pressure to the Irish side ahead of the return leg in Finland following a difficult week of domestic and European results.
Why it matters
The match is a critical juncture for Shamrock Rovers' European campaign, reflecting the team's current struggle for form and consistency.
Shamrock Rovers were five minutes away from getting back to winning ways after a week to forget, but they allowed Finnish champions KuPS to snatch a precious late equaliser.
Stephen Bradley's charges were trying to atone for a 5-1 humiliation in Albania last Thursday , not to mention the pain of relinquishing their FAI Cup crown after blowing a 2-0 lead away to St Patrick’s Athletic in Sunday’s third round defeat.
Amid a subdued atmosphere in front of 4,522 at Tallaght Stadium, they struck the first blow in this Conference League playoff first-leg when Republic of Ireland international Enda Stevens fired Rovers into an early second-half lead.
But a late lapse in concentration allowed KuPS equalise in the 85th minute with substitute Piotr Parzyszek pouncing to the delight of the 13 travelling fans in the East Stand.
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