Thursday 20th July
Kick Off 7.30pm
Tomorrow night sees our first competitive home game of 2023-24, and a very big one it is as we attempt to build on last week’s 2-2 away draw to progress to the next round of the UEFA Europa Conference League .
Since ending their 45-year absence from European competition in 2018, Gżira United have played 9 away fixtures, recording 3 wins, 3 draws and 3 defeats.
Their most notable win came against Hajduk Split of Croatia in the second leg of the first qualifying round of the 2019–20 UEFA Europa League.
Gżira had lost the home leg 0–2 and the match in Split had the Croatians as strong favourites to progress. Hajduk went in at half time winning 1–0 but Brazilian forward Jefferson equalized for Gżira in the 57th minute, and Hamed Koné scored on 69 to make the score 1–2 for Gżira and 3-2 on aggregate. This would still not have been enough for them to progress but in sixth and final minute of injury time Koné grabbed his second to make the score 1–3 for Gżira, with the Maltese side advancing on the away goals rule.
Last week’s draw in Malta was the first time Glentoran had scored twice away from home since July 2004 when Tommy McCallion and Colin Nixon scored in our only away win in Europe against AC Allianssi of Finland after a 1-1 draw at the Oval.
Warren Feeney: “I was pleased with our performance in Malta last week in the first leg. Gzira are a good team with a good European record over the last five or six years so, while I was a bit disappointed not to get the winner in the end, you have to be pleased with a draw away from home in Europe.
"I was very pleased with how all the players played, both the new ones and those who were already here. The two goals we gave a way were probably down to a bit of early season rustiness but we showed great character and ability to come back so well and save the game. So well done to the whole squad.
"Morale in the squad is very high now after doing so well and scoring twice away from home. We need to build on that as the pressure will be on us more than Gzira as this is our home leg and expectations are high. There is no doubt about the players’ ability so this one will come down to mindset and mentality against a good team. We proved in Malta that our mindset was right and our mentality was strong, so it’s a matter of holding onto that and building on it tonight. I’m confident the players can do that.
"Finally, I couldn’t believe the number of supporters who came over to Malta to give us their backing. They were phenomenal. They got behind the players from start to finish and played their part in our performance, particularly as we fought back after their goals. They deserved a good result and we were all glad to give them one. I know our support will be well up for this home leg and if they get behind us the way they did last week it’ll be a great night at the Oval."
Some adult and “junior” (under 14s) are available for the Railway Stand. The Junior tickets are £5 each. These are available here from the website. The Main Stand is sold out.
Also people with tickets for the Railway Stand must enter via Dee Street. No transfers to any other part of the ground will be possible.
Don’t forget this is being streamed live by GlensTV in association with 247.tv for £10 live stream, or for £5 on replay once the match is finished.. If you’re not able to make the game in person, don’t forget to register in with 247.tv. That can be done HERE. 247.tv advise that you create your account early to make sure that you can login and purchase the match in advance.
Accounts opened for domestic streaming in season 2020-21 are still valid. Use the same link as above then click Log In on the top menu.
Tomorrow’s match sponsor is VERBATIM COMMUNICATIONS
