Valur to reach second qualifying round with draw against Rosenborg
Iceland's Valur shocked Norweign club Rosenborg in their Champions League first round qualifying first leg match. Valur came away with a 1-0 home win. Now, an away goal could see the Icelandic club into the second qualifying round against Scotland's Celtic.
Despite losing the match, Rosenborg dominated much of the play. The club finished the match with 67 attacks compared to Valur's 45. Of those 67, Rosenborg registered 50 dangerous attacks that could have led to goals. Unfortunately, the Norwegian club could only muster two shots on target. Yet, those two shots on target were two more than Valur were able to register. The Icelandic team managed zero shots on target.
Valur's only goal came from a hopeful cross into the box that was knocked down for Eidur Sigurbjornsson to tap home. It completely caught Rosenborg's defenders napping in the 84th minute. The Norwegians turned off for a split second and it cost them the match.
Rosenborg are currently in the middle of their domestic league campaign. Winners of the 2017 Eliteserien, they are second behind Brann after 16 matches. Just two points separate the two teams. The club last played a league fixture on July 7 and is currently in the midst of a break from league action.
Valur are also in the middle of their league season. Like Rosenborg, the Icelandic team is second. Valur are level on points with league leaders Stjarnan, however, Valur are behind on goal difference. The club has won the Icelandic first division 21 times. Until 2017, Valur had experienced a decade's drought in domestic league silverware. This is Valur's first chance to play in the Champions league qualifying rounds since 2008. On that occasion, Valur were knocked out in the first qualifying round by BATE Borisov, 3-0. The Icelanders did play in the Europa League qualifying rounds in 2016-17 and 2017-18. However, the best Valur could do was reach the second qualifying round.
Rosenborg have been more successful over the years in European football. Last year, the club played in the Europa League group stages after they were knocked out of the Champions league qualifying second round by Celtic. Rosenborg did shock the football world when they defeated Ajax in a playoff to make the Europa League, but they only won once in the group stage.
The winner of Rosenborg and Valur's tie will meet Celtic in the second qualifying round. Based on form and the performance in the first leg, Valur will get an important away goal and sneak into the next round.
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