Rubin Kazan downed a gallant Shamrock Rovers 3-0 tonight in the Tallaght Stadium. The Irish minnows got off to the worst possible start in their first appearance in European football proper with former Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins getting the opener on 3 minutes.
Kazan were then awarded a penalty in the 34th minute however a brilliant Ryan Thompson save kept the score at 1-0 going into the break, but again Rovers were caught cold as they conceded just 5 minutes into the second half through Noboa before Gokdeniz Karadeniz grabbed the third with a wonderful strike from just inside the area. (see below)
Rovers were then handed a lifeline with a penalty kick awarded in the 66th minute but Stephen O’Donnellks penalty was saved by the Kazan keeper. Rovers can be proud of their display against the Russian giants who have been Champions League regulars for the past three or four years even beating Barcelona at the Nou Camp in one of their Champions League Group stages.
