BRATISLAVA, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Slovan Bratislava's late 1-0 win over Dundalk FC on Wednesday brought the football team from Slovakia's capital city closer to advancing to the playoff stage of the Europa League Qualifiers.
The third qualifying round put Slovakia's reigning champions against the winners Ireland's premier league, Dundalk FC. The guests were close to scoring the opener in the 30th minute, but Bratislava's goalkeeper Dominik Greif made a great save on Michael Duffy's shot from the left side.
Early in the second half, it was Dundalk's goalkeeper Gary Rogers' time to show off his skills, defusing Moha's close-range attempt and pushing away Andraz Sporar's shot from the right side moments later. Heavy rain started to complicate things but didn't stop Rogers from making a miracle save on Myenty Abena's header from inside the box.
Just as the game was heading for a goalless tie, Dejan Drazic's long-range attempt bounced off the left post of the guests' goal and David Holman had no trouble capitalizing on the lucky rebound to secure a 1-0 win for Slovan Bratislava.
In injury times, the guests were millimeters from tying the game up, but Georgie Kelly's header was instinctively saved by Greif, the ball bouncing off the crossbar and into safety.
