Crusaders tonight bowed out of Europe after a 1-1 draw on the night but 1-3 on aggregate in a historic draw at Seaview against FC Basel of Switzerland. At a packed Seaview Crusaders took the game to the European giants and gave a superb account of themselves and of Irish League football.
The game was only 40 seconds old and Crusaders showed their intent with Ben Kennedy forcing a save from the FC Basel keeper. It was Ben Kennedy who caused the FC Basel defence trouble again just four minutes later but on this occasion his shot was blocked and the ball cleared. FC Basel did have the ball in the net on 9 minutes but it was ruled offside and Chris Hegarty made an audacious chip from the half way line on 12 minutes but it went over the bar. Crusaders again had the next chance when Jude Winchester came in at the back post and as he went to meet a super cross it was taken off his toe and cleared. FC Basel started to get it together and Crusaders had a let off when when Frei hit the bar on 33 minutes with a sweeping shot and it was cleared. Three minutes later the visitors where ahead when Liam Millar curled a cracking shot from the edge of the area and despite Johnny Tuffeys best efforts it was in the net and they led 1-0 on the night and 3-0 on aggregate. Crusaders tried to get straight back in it and Ross Clarke was unlucky not to get his head to a cross after getting away from his marker but the ball was just to high and another great chance had gone. The half finished with Johnny Tuffey punching a FC Basel free kick away Crusaders where behind in the tie despite the chances they had.
Half Time Crusaders 0 FC Basel 1
The second half was a minute old when Daniel Larmour was on hand to clear an early Basel attack and the resulting did not trouble at all. On 53 minutes Seaview went wild when Crusaders equalised. As Crusaders attacked the ball eventually fell to Jarlath O'Rourke who shot but as the ball went goal wards Billy Joe Burns managed to nip in at the back post and beat the FC Basel defender to the ball before directing it home to set the scenes. 1-1 and Crusaders sensed an upset and kept going. On the hour Jude Winchester was replaced by Johnny McMurray and the fresh legs where going to be important. Jarlath O'Rourke did well to deflect a powerful goal bound effort for a corner and Johnny Tuffey calmly saved the header from that. Johnny McMurray battled away up front and was causing trouble but could not get the breakthrough.Robbie Weir replaced Ross Clarke on 72 minutes to freshen it up again and within a minute Ben Kennedy had a half chance that went straight to the keeper. Daniel Larmour cleared well again on 78 minutes and Crusaders dealt with the corner again. Jordan Owens came on for Chris Hegarty as Stephen threw caution to the wind and the “big man” was straight in causing mayhem in the FC Basel defence. With seconds ticking away Crusaders had one last chance but the ball landed on Jordan Owens head and could not direct it into the six yard area for a fellow player. At that the game was over and despite the 3-1 aggregate score it was 1-1 on the night and to acheive that was something that only many could dream abaout.
Crusaders 1 FC Basel 1
FC Basel through 1-3 on aggregate