With his defenders struggling with the Italians' movement, the goalkeeper stopped several Bothroyd and Ze Maria efforts. With 20 minutes on the clock, the Brazilian hit a superb 20-yard free-kick just wide then one minute later the same player was unfortunate with another shot, having being gifted a ball by Lee Wilkie. The pressure was incessant but Dundee continued to survive. Speroni was in excellent form and somehow diverted Bothroyd's 23rd minute shot on to the bar when a goal seemed certain. Knowing they required two goals and with over 2,000 fans behind them, the visitors moved up a gear in the second half and Gavin Rae was unfortunate when the keeper was well placed for his 46th minute header. Nacho Novo, who had been quiet, finally grabbed the attention in the 60th minute. Dancing round two defenders, he fired in a tremendous shot, which the keeper superbly turned away for a corner. This seemed to inspire the winger and both he and Fabian Caberello began to give some concern to the hosts. But despite the pressure, Dundee went down in the 71st minute to a poor goal. Ze Maria broke down the right flank and was given space to cross. Wilkie who was not having his best game, flapped at the clearance giving substitute Massimo Margiotta, two attempts to strike with the ball home. After all their efforts in the second half, this was the goal that sunk Dundee and ended hopes of progress in Europe. Perugia: Kalac, Ignoffo, Diamoutene, Di Loreto, Obodo, Lompoutis, Ze Maria, Tedesco, Bothroyd, Fusani, Vryzas Subs: Tardioli, Alioui, Gatti, Do Prado, Berrettoni, Margiotta, Ciarlora Dundee: Speroni, Mackay, Wilkie, Mair, Hernandez Santos, Nemsadze, Rae, Smith, Novo, Sara, Caballero Subs: Langfield, Brady, Carranza, McDonald, McLean, Boylan, Fotheringham Referee: Vladimir Hrinak (Slovakia) | ||
Editorial Team Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba.net) |
