Kilmarnock suffered one of many cruelest defeats in European competitors within the Danish capital, shedding 0-2 to FC Copenhagen.
Killie annoyed the hosts for a lot of the primary leg of the UEFA Convention League play-offs however suffered a harsh penalty assisted by VAR earlier than including a set-piece 5 minutes into harm time .
Kilmarnock goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara got here on once more for the injured Robby McCrorie, changing a penalty from Kevin Diks within the 77th minute Earlier than, he had been largely untroubled.
Italian referee Fabio Maresca immediately stopped play after which went to the monitor to penalize David Watson for catching a bouncing ball because the pair battled for it within the nook. Mohamed Elyounoussi’s calf.
The previous Celtic winger had taken a nook that went nowhere, an incident that was removed from clear or apparent and, on the very least, inconsequential.
To make issues worse for Killie, Rasmus Falk volleyed house from a mid-air nook, leaving the guests going through the prospect of progressing to the group levels and shedding head coach Derek McGuinness. Derek McInnes mentioned it was an “unimaginable” enterprise with monetary advantages of round £4 million.
McInnes handed defender Jake Burroughs his first begin of the season following a mortgage spell, alongside Kyle Vassell and Marley Watkins.
Copenhagen beat Manchester United and Galatasaray on the Parken Area final season to achieve the final 16 of the Champions League, however Killie gave them a scare when Watson despatched Vassell one-on-one with Denis Vavreau.
Vassell beat the centre-back earlier than being hacked to the bottom, however Maresca thought Dix was about to cowl and waved a yellow card.
Killie accomplished a sequence of set items, and O’Hara made the one good save of the primary half, safely blocking a 30-yard shot from behind Wavro for a nook kick.
Liam Donnelly and Lewis Mayo produced some essential challenges contained in the Killie penalty space and with Watkins trailing, Liam Donnelly’s shot went extensive because the guests completed the primary half Persons are happy.
Denmark stepped up the tempo after the break, with Giorgi Gocholeishvili heading extensive on a superb probability earlier than O’Hara saved Eyunusi. Elyounoussi’s ball.
Stuart Findlay made some good intervention, Diks fired extensive and Killie seemed strong regardless of being knocked again.
Nonetheless, the Italian match officers had different concepts and Eyounoussi fired over from six yards after Killi was caught shortly after the opening kickoff.
With striker Vassell’s shot coming off, Ayrshire seemed set to lose narrowly till Falk’s volley sailed previous O’Hara 5 minutes into stoppage time.
McGinnis: Penalty resolution was horrific
kilmarnock boss Derek McGinnis say BBC Sport Scotland:
“We talked at halftime about how we restricted their long-range photographs and a few of their crosses. They did not actually give us an excessive amount of bother, they did not actually disrupt our form. The results of the sport and I am completely Identical.
“We threatened within the first half and had some good moments to offer the gamers some encouragement and we are able to take one thing from the sport.
“Their coach made some modifications, they tried to maneuver the ball quicker and I believed they began the second half slightly higher. However general we felt fairly good till the referee stepped in for the penalty kick.
“For me it was a horrible resolution. I believed it was extraordinarily harsh. I did not assume it was a transparent mistake and everybody was stunned when he was requested to rethink.”
“Elyounusi touched the ball first, however I do not assume it affected his shot. It was only a mixture, I do not assume it was a penalty.”
“If he had given the penalty, I’d have been very upset however perhaps slightly extra understanding. However I simply do not assume it was a transparent mistake.”
“For the hassle, work, group and all the pieces we did within the recreation, to lose a objective like that is extraordinarily merciless.”