FC Vaduz in Uefa Cup [R]

[SwissGCZ]

First qualifying round

http://www.uefa.com/imagescontent/competition/clubs/logos/50x50/57482.gif http://www.uefa.com/imagescontent/competition/clubs/logos/50x50/75821.gif

Vaduz - Longford (15/07)
Longford - Vaduz (29/07)

Looks like Vaduz might be in the uncommon role of being the slight favorites against the Irish Cupwinners. I have no idea how strong Longford Town is, but it should be a difficult series for Vaduz regardless. Cork City has been representing the Irish league very well in the Intertoto Cup (eliminating Malmö & NEC Nijmegen), so there are signs of improvement for the Irish league. Getting a good result at home is a must for Vaduz...

[SwissGCZ]

Ok, I did a bit of detective work on Longford...

They have Barbados international Eric Levin as well as three U21 Irish nats who won the U19 European Championship two years ago. Most (if not all) players are semi-pro and the team is currently in-season. Longford has a solid defense but a rather poor attack (they are currently near relegation in the table). Coach Allan Matthews would be happy if Longford could escape Vaduz with a tie or a slight loss...

Longford will bring about 200 fans to Vaduz (quite impressive)

[hayserptd]

Ok, I did a bit of detective work on Longford...

They have Barbados international Eric Levin as well as three U21 Irish nats who won the U19 European Championship two years ago. Most (if not all) players are semi-pro and the team is currently in-season. Longford has a solid defense but a rather poor attack (they are currently near relegation in the table). Coach Allan Matthews would be happy if Longford could escape Vaduz with a tie or a slight loss...

Longford will bring about 200 fans to Vaduz (quite impressive)

Hi, I support St Patricks athletic (Dublin ) :)

have you got any info on this team? Having seen Longford lose to Bottom side Dublin city this weekend and having seen how p!ss awful they were Vaduz seem to be worth a bet. I really can`t see Longford score. Maybe from a corner kick or free kick.

[SwissGCZ]

Sure do, I posted this on the Ireland board:
For those of you not familiar with FC Vaduz, they are basically Liechtenstein's national team (minus about three players) and play in the Swiss 2nd Division (all LIE teams play in the Swiss league system). Despite the involvement in Switzerland, Liechtenstein does have its own FA Cup - and that is how Vaduz qualified for the Uefa Cup. Vaduz almost got promoted to the Swiss Super League last season and are favorites to be promoted again this year. Not sure if that makes them the favorite in this series, but Longford will have to play rather well to get past Vaduz
After taking a closer look at Longford I would definitely declare Vaduz the clear favorite in this match-up. FCV's international experience and technical qualities should prove too much for Longford to handle...

FC Vaduz plays at the Rheinpark, Liechtenstein's national stadium (Capacity - 4,500). Here are a few pics (you can even see the royal castle in the background):

http://www.stadionwelt.de/Stadionwelt-Stadien-Arenen/Stadionlisten/Liechtenstein/Vaduz/Vaduz.html

[RobtheAggie]

Hey SwissGCZ, thanks for the info.
Has Vaduz ever won a round in the UEFA Cup?

[IASocFan]

Coverage by the Irish press: http://www.eleven-a-side.com/euroclub/irish_soccer_detail.asp?newsid=12449

[SwissGCZ]

Has Vaduz ever won a round in the UEFA Cup?
I'm not sure, I'm fairly certain they did in the Cupwinners Cup days...
Coverage by the Irish press: http://www.eleven-a-side.com/eurocl...sp?newsid=12449

Certainly they are ice-cold underdogs, with Vaduz, despite coming from one of Europe’s football backwaters, making giant strides in club football in recent seasons.
Doesn't sound too hopeful...

[pmannion]

Half Time:
FC Vaduz 0-0 Longford Town.

[IASocFan]

Full Time
Vaduz [1 - 0] Longford Town
73' [1 - 0] Polerino

[SwissGCZ]

Vaduz - Longford Town 1:0 (0:0)
73. Polverino 1:0.
Rheinpark, A: 1,300

Not the most impressive result by Vaduz, they had a really hard time breaking down a disciplined Longford defense. I'm sure the preseason form has something to do with it, but Vaduz probably should've done better. On the upside, Longford didn't manage to score an away goal so should Vaduz score one in the second leg they should be through...

[RobtheAggie]

This is a suprising result. But as you mentioned, the 0 away goals is very important.

[SwissGCZ]

Vaduz vexed by victory:
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/UEFACup/news/Kind=8192/newsId=208694.html

[SwissGCZ]

Vaduz will play the 2nd leg today at Flancare Park (Cap: 6,000):

http://www.stadionwelt.de/Stadionwelt-Stadien-Arenen/Stadionlisten/Irland/Longford/dm_Longford_03.jpg
More pics: http://www.stadionwelt.de/Stadionwelt-Stadien-Arenen/Stadionlisten/Irland/Longford/LongfordTown.html

With the Challenge League season start just around the corner, Vaduz should be in a lot better shape than two weeks ago. Longford just made the Irish League Cup final and considers today's match "one of the biggest games the club has ever played." Longford expects about 5,000 passionate fans to show up for the game...

[IASocFan]

Vaduz scored an early away goal by Zarn. Don't know any details, but according to livescore.com in the 14 minute, it's:

Longford Town [0 - 1] Vaduz
4' [0 - 1] Zarn

[Dave141]

Longford Town [0 - 2] Vaduz

4' [0 - 1] Zarn
49' [0 - 2] Burgmeier

Advancement now seems likely (but didn't we just say that about YB this week)? :)

[SwissGCZ]

Longford Town - Vaduz 2:3 (0:1)
5. Zarn 0:1. 49. Burgmeier 0:2. 54. Weller 0:3. 86. Fitzgerald 1:3. 88. Ferguson 2:3.
Flancare Park, A: 3,000

FCV seemingly in control of the entire match (despite giving up two late goals.) I think this is only the 2nd time in Vaduz history where the club advances in a european series. Congrats to them!

The draw for the second qualifying round will be tomorrow.

[SwissGCZ]

The draw for the second qualifying round will be tomorrow.
Vaduz drew KSK Beveren from Belgium for the next round. Not exactly a traditional Belgium powerhouse, so maybe FCV has a chance...

[gaijin]

Is it true that because there's no league in leichenstein, that Vaduz get through every year as that Fa's representative?

If it is true, does that mean that Monaco can enter europe each year?

BTW: Go Vaduz in the Challenge league - unlucky not to beat Xamax last season in the playoffs :)

[IASocFan]

Hey SwissGCZ, thanks for the info.
Has Vaduz ever won a round in the UEFA Cup?

Didn't know the answer on this until I found it here:
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/UEFACup/fixturesresults/round=1973/match=79067/Report=RP.html

FC Vaduz won a European tie for the first time at their eleventh attempt as victory tonight at Longford Town FC built on their 1-0 lead from the first leg to see the team from Liechtenstein through to the UEFA Cup second qualifying round.

It was also their first win: http://www.uefa.com/competitions/UEFACup/fixturesresults/round=1973/match=79066/Report=RP.html

A 77th-minute goal from substitute Michele Polverino provided FC Vaduz with their first-ever victory in Europe in 21 attempts, and an opening-leg lead to take to the Republic of Ireland as they defeated Longford Town FC in their UEFA Cup first qualifying round engagement

[IASocFan]

Is it true that because there's no league in leichenstein, that Vaduz get through every year as that Fa's representative?

If it is true, does that mean that Monaco can enter europe each year?

BTW: Go Vaduz in the Challenge league - unlucky not to beat Xamax last season in the playoffs :)


Vaduz plays in the Swiss League, but competes annually in the Liechtenstein Cup (and usually wins). They compete against the other Liechtensteiner teams.

National cup winners are eligible for the UEFA Cup. I don't believe Monaco has a cup, but is a member of the French League. There is some debate whether Vaduz is eligible for the Swiss First division; unlike Monaco, they play as a guest in Switzerland.