End of the road for United

26 August 2010 21:30
Dundee United claimed a 1-1 creditable draw against AEK Athens but slipped out of Europe after a 2-1 aggregate loss. After a week of farce which saw the venue for the match switched several times, the contest finally went ahead at the Karaiskaki Stadium - home of AEK's deadly rivals Olympiakos - but with only United supporters present because of security fears. Any hopes United, who were trailing 1-0 from the first leg, had that the eerie atmosphere would unsettle AEK were quickly dashed as they picked up where they left off at Tannadice with an impressive passing game. Debutant Papa Bouba Diop scored the opening goal and it looked as if United's hopes were over, but substitute Jon Daly came off the bench to net a goal which gave them hope of progressing. Despite their endeavour, though, it was not to be. Diop's goal came after Sean Dillon conceded a needless corner, allowing Sanel Jahic to rise and flick on the Diop who did the rest. Daly prodded in after a Paul Dixon long ball with 12 minutes to go, but it was not enough.

Source: PA