Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley was left to rue an uncharacteristic defensive lapse in Armenia as the Hoops have a tricky assignment next week in Tallaght if they are to extend their Champions League journey this season.
A fortnight ago the Hoops lost 2-0 on the road against Floriana of Malta before a powerful display in the return leg saw the League of Ireland side advance to the third round of the qualifiers.
Bradley’s side will again be looking for a strong response at home following a 2-0 loss at the hands of Ararat-Armenia.
Goalless at the break and with both sides creating few clear-cut opportunities, Bradley would have been pleased with the opening 45 minutes.
However that resolute defensive display was nowhere to be seen in the 51st minutes as a calamitous moment at the back cost them dearly. A Lee Grace pass intended for Pico Lopes was intercepted by Sandro Lima, with the Brazilian keeping his composure to cut inside the Cape Vere centre-half and then round goalkeeper Ed McGinty.
The hosts doubled their advantage with 10 minutes remaining and speaking after the game at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Bradley outlined his disappointment at the manner of the opening goal.
“The game was what we felt it would be,” he said. “We nullified their threats. We spoke at half-time about staring the second half in the right way and then we give away a really poor goal.
“I don’t know the last time we have done something like that. It was something you would never see our centre-halves do. It doesn’t happen.
Zidane Banjaqui of Ararat-Armenia celebrates scoring his side’s second goal
“It’s really, really frustrating that we gave up such a soft goal.
Reflecting on the game as a whole, Bradley felt his side did mainly what was asked of them, with Aaron Greene and substitute Jonathan Afolabi on the end of their best chances.
He remains confident that his experienced side will give a strong account of themselves next week when the Armenian side come to Dublin.
“We are really frustrated with the goals we gave away. You can’t do that in any game, but especially away from home in Europe.
“We know it’s half-time. There are things that happened in the game that would give you confidence.
“We’ll get chances next week. We know we can beat anyone in Tallaght and that will be the aim next week.”