Dundee 2 Livingston 2, Cis Cup, 28/08/07

Dundee kept their campaign to regain credibility in KO competition alive with a gritty victory over first division strugglers Livingston. The Dark Blue went into this CIS second round tie with just one cup victory under their belts from five attempts under boss Alex Rae. And twice they had to come from behind against a Livi side they’d defeated on the opening day of the SFL season just to force extra-time. But they edged the penalty shoot-out to secure a place in next Monday’s draw for the last 16. Dundee first found themselves in arrears after only eight minutes, despite the best efforts of Craig Samson.The home keeper had pulled off a brilliant one-handed save from Jason Kennedy after he had worked a 1-2 with Tomas Pesir and unleashed a powerful volley from the edge of the area. However, the resulting corner wasn’t cleared and Scott Mitchell dispatched an unstoppable shot past Samson from 20 yards. The most likely source of an equaliser looked to be livewire Bob Davidson who brought a decent stop out of Marius Liberda and twice fired over. Freddie Daquin also found himself with an opportunity to level things but shot straight at the keeper. Parity was restored, seven minutes from the break, courtesy of Scott Robertson who, in the course of a smashing run, left four players trailing in his wake before squeezing the ball high past Liberda for a goal of real quality. Four minutes into the second period the Dark Blues found themselves chasing an equaliser once again as Livi grabbed a sensational goal in bizarre circumstances. With the visitng bench preparing to replace the limping Steven Craig, Kevin McDonald was dispossessed near the half-way line, Liam Fox whipped in a pinpoint cross and Craig rifled the ball past Samson. Dundee threw on Jani Sturm, Derek Lyle and David O’Brien as they sought a way back and on 85 minutes Fox was harshly adjudged to have handled a bouncing ball inside the area and Lyle levelled from the spot. With only a minute left and Samson rooted to the spot, Kennedy saw a header strike the bar and bounce down onto the line from where David Worrell cleared. What little goalmouth action the additional 30 minutes threw up, involved Gary McKenzie. First, McKenzie was woefully short with a headed passback and Samson had to spare his blushes with a fine one-handed save from Leigh Griffiths, then at the other end he headed over with the goal at his mercy.
During the initial round of spot-kicks, Kevin McDonald’s effort was saved by Liberda while Samson turned Griffith’s pen onto a post. Des McCaffrey and O’Brien then slotted away their kicks before Samson saved from Kennedy. Confusion reigned as jubilant Dundee players, led by Lyle, charged towards their goalie, believing they were through, and the Dens Park PA system blasted out celebratory music. Red faces all round, temporarily at least, until Sturm netted to settle the issue. I don't mind how we beat Livingston.
Late News:
Dens Park pair Kevin McDonald and Paul Dixon have been omitted from the Scotland Under 21 squad for the European Championship qualifiers against Finland and Denmark despite both figuring in the win over the Czech Republic

Dundee 3 Partick Thistle 0, Dens Park, 25/August/07

Dundee struck early to brush aside Partick Thistle and clinch a comfortable win at Dens Park.
Gavin Swankie's glorious 25-yard free-kick started things off in the eighth minute. And once Robert Davidson had nodded in a simple second from a Paul Dixon cross, the result was never in doubt. Kevin McDonald capped a splendid performance with a neat finish and Thistle's misery was complete when Alan Archibald picked up a second booking. A great performance from Dundee, and this season they are looking a good outside bet for the league title.

Latest News From Dundee:Next up is Livingston at home in the Cis Cup. Alex Rae will have 4 strikers to pick from. Young striker Bryan Deasley has went ot on loan to Cowdenbeath, and he scored the only and winning goal against fife rivals Raith Rovers. Dundee expect to have Paul Dixon in the squad to face Livingston despite the defender being sent to hospital struggling for breath on Saturday. Strikers Derek Lyle and Jan Zemlik return from suspension, but defender Craig Sives is still recovering from a hernia operation and will miss out.

Latest From Dens Park

DUNDEE have taken 6ft 5in former Watford, Gray’s Athletic and MK Dons defender Nathan Koo-Boothe on trial. The 22-year-old Jamaican centre-half will spend the next week seeking to win a deal at Dens. With strike pair Derek Lyle and Jan Zemlik both suspended for tomorrow’s visit of Partick Thistle, Slovenian Jani Sturm is set to start.
DUNDEE have taken Arsenal youth team striker Marc Elston on a week’s trial. Elston (18), who chose a career in football over athletics despite clocking 11.2seconds for 100m at the age of 14, has been made available by the Gunners. Elston netted 11 times in 23 appearances for Arsenal’s youth side last term.

Scotland Call Up For Dens Kids

Scotland Under 21 coach Archie Knox has had to draft in four new players to his squad for Tuesday's international against the Czech Republic, after injuries and illness caused several withdrawals. Hearts pair Lee Wallace and Calum Elliot were both unable to join the squad after picking up knocks at the weekend, and today there were three further withdrawals as Kevin McCann of Hibs and David Robertson of Dundee United failed to respond quickly enough to treatment, and Andrew Considine of Aberdeen was unwell. Into the squad have come Scott Cuthbert of Celtic, Tom Scobbie of Falkirk, and Dundee's Paul Dixon and Kevin McDonald. Scotland Under 21s meet the Czech Republic at Falkirk Stadium on Tuesday night, kick-off 7.30 pm, and admission is just £5 for adults, £2 concessions.

Photo Above: Kevin McDonald and Paul Dixon.

St.Johnstone 1 Dundee 1, McDiarmid Park, 18/August/07

Freddie Daquin's deflected equaliser got Dundee off the hook in a hard-fought derby draw at St Johnstone. Saints had taken the lead seconds after the restart when John Stewart latched onto a perfect cross from Paul Sheerin. But Martin Hardie's straight red card for an elbow on Kevin McDonald turned the tide in Dundee's favour. Daquin's speculative effort beat Alan Main from 25 yards but Dundee also ended the game with 10 men when Jan Zemlik was shown a second yellow card. A good point for Dundee, but we could have had all three points today. A great support for Dundee today , just under 3,000 travelled.

Dundee 1 Ross County 2, Dens Park, Challenge Cup, 14/August/07.

Dundee went out of the cup to Second Division side Ross County losing 2-1 at Dens Park. Andy Barrowman scored the opener from the penalty spot in the 12th-minute after Gary MacKenzie brought down Martin Scott inside the area. County edged further ahead two minutes before half-time when Keddie glanced home a header from Derek Adams' corner. Jani Sturm reduced the deficit, but the home side could not find an equaliser and had David O'Brien sent off late on. Dundee who also hit the woodwork three times in the closing minutes, the only positives to take out of the match is that a few of the young players got a run out, and that will do them no harm. Bring on the Perth Saints on Saturday.

Ross County Next At Dens............

Dundee will make changes for theChallenge Cup clash with holders Ross County, likely to feature is Alex Rae himself, with Derek Lyle, Bryan Deasley, Gary McKenzie, Paul McHale to name just a few. Also Alex might play some of the younger players, just to see how they cope in a cup game. But make no mistake it's a game that Dundee want to win. I will miss the game due to work. The game kicks off at 19:30. A report will follow.

Dundee 2 Queen of the South 1, Dens Park, 11/August/07

BobDavidson's double preserved Dundee's 100% record as they beat a poor Queen of the South side. Davidson scored from the penalty spot after 13 minutes following Andy Aitken's needless shove on Jan Zemlik. Queens goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald twice denied Scott Robertson and had a tremendous save from a Zemlik effort. Sean O'Connor headed the equaliser from an Eric Paton cross - but, after a Paul Dixon attempt struck a post, Davidson steered home from Gavin Swankie's chip. A great week for the dark blues. They were not at their best yesterday, but last season they would have dropped points. So a good start and sets up the trip to Perth next week. St.Johnstone drew 2-2 and Dunfermline and Livingston both lost yesterday.

Livi Next in Cis Cup

Dundee will play Livingston at Home in the next round of the Cis Cup, after the draw was made at Easter Road today:Full draw — Motherwell v. Raith Rovers, Queen’s Park v. Hibs, Dundee v. Livingston, Peterhead v. Kilmarnock, Dundee United v. Ross County, Montrose v. Falkirk, Gretna v. Cowdenbeath, Stirling Albion v. Hearts, St. Mirren v. East Fife, Berwick v. Hamilton, Inverness CT. v. Arbroath, Partick v. St. Johnstone. Ties on August. 28/29.

Milan Plays At Last.....................

Milan Palenik finally made his competitive Dundee debut last night, but the defender’s protracted transfer to Scotland could see the Slovakian FA in hot water with FIFA after allegations of a cash-for-clearance scandal . Palenik was signed on a one-year contract in the middle of last month, but a lack of international clearance meant he missed Saturday’s league visit to Livingston and was only able to play against Morton in the CIS Cup when the necessary paperwork arrived from Eastern Europe with just minutes to spare yesterday. Now the Dark Blues, dismayed at the repeated delays in their dealings with the Slovak football authorities, have raised concerns with the SFA, who had already intervened on their behalf over the last week or so. And what have been described as “irregularities” are to be passed on for the world ruling body to give their opinion. Dens Park chief executive Dave MacKinnon was choosing his words carefully today, but the Evening Telegraph understands that, during contact with the Slovakian FA, the club and Palenik’s agents were given the impression clearance would be forthcoming if money changed hands. It is believed sums ranging from £100 to £3000 for a document that can be faxed from one football association to another in a matter of a few minutes were mentioned. That has left Dundee and their player less than impressed, though it has been stressed his former club completed their paperwork promptly and in a normal fashion. FIFA are to be informed. The lengthy delay had little effect on the big central defender, who helped his new team keep a clean sheet against Morton with an impressive individual display. Palenik took over from Gary MacKenzie, who was suffering from a cold.

Dundee 2 Morton 0, Cis Cup, Dens Park, 07/August/07

TWO GOALS early in the second half maintained the Dark Blues’ 100% start to the new campaign and eased them into round two of the CIS Cup last night. Czech attacker Jan Zemlik set Dundee on their way to a relatively straightforward victory with a deflected opener before Gavin Swankie doubled the winning margin. Dundee started five of their summer signings but it was the home-grown pair of Robertson and Kevin McDonald who caught the eye during a low-key opening period.The Dark Blues had the better of things but a combination of some wayward shooting from distance and an inability to capitalise on a series of several decent crossballs kept the scoresheet blank.Within 72 seconds of the restart however, the home side took the lead, albeit in fortuitous circumstances. Ton keeper Lee Robinson might well have had Robertson’s shot from a Freddie Daquin layoff covered, but the ball took a wicked deflection off the heel of Zemlik leaving Robinson stranded and the Czech celebrating his first goal for the club. Dundee had an anxious moment at the other end when Ludovic Roy spilled a Peter Weatherson free-kick and a fairly frantic scramble ensued. But on 52 minutes they effectively killed the tie. Wide man Swankie raced on to a Robertson through ball and into the box. His attempt to square for Jani Sturm was blocked but clinical Swankie buried the rebound in the far corner. Daquin and substitute Derek Lyle (twice) were denied by decent Robinson saves as the Dark Blues attempted to enhance the scoreline, but late on they’d Roy to thank for denying Morton encouragement when he tipped over a powerful Brian Graham effort. The visitors’ Weatherson was booked along with Dundee’s David Worrell.

Morton Next In The Cis Cup.......

Dundee welcome back three players from suspension for the CIS Insurance Cup first-round clash with Morton. Derek Lyle, back-up keeper Craig Samson and player/manager Alex Rae all come back into contention after missing Saturday's win over Livingston. It should be a good close game tonight.Morton will be without injured players Scott McLaughlin, David McGregor and Bobby Linn.

Eagles New Blog

All Cupar Eagles match reports ect: can now be viewed here:

http://cupareagles.blogspot.com/

Livi Balloons

The draw before yesterdays game went wrong as the Balloons, went off with a gust of wind

Dundee 2 Livingston 0, Almondvale, 04/August/07

Two goals from Scott Robertson got Dundee's season off to a great start against nine-man Livingston. Robertson fired Dundee in front from 20 yards in the 17th minute before adding his second from close range 13 minutes after half-time. Livi lost their discipline in the second half, with Graham Dorrans sent off for a second booking. Joe Hamill was later dismissed for a professional foul on Dundee winger Freddie Daquin. A great start for the dark blues and puts us top of the league. St.Johnstone drew 3-3 at Queen of the South and Dunfermline lost 2-1 at Hamilton. Scott Robertson's first goal was a peach of a strike from the edge of the box.

Dundee Sign Jani Sturm.

Dundee boss Alex Rae added the final piece to his squad for the new season today when he beat off stiff competition to capture Slovenian Jani Sturm. The 25-year-old striker, signed on a one-year deal with the option of an extension, originally arrived in Scotland a month ago for a trial with city neighbours Dundee United, but, after that didn’t work out, he moved on to a number of other clubs, most recently Morton. His time there led to an offer of a contract and it’s also understood SPL new boys Gretna were showing a firm interest in the proven goalscorer.
All that meant extra satisfaction for Alex when Sturm decided to opt for a dark blue jersey in the coming season. “I’m not exactly sure who else was interested, but I know other clubs were speaking to him and it’s nice to know he wants to come here,” said the Dens manager.
“We are trying to build something here and his decision shows he recognises that. I’m pleased to get him because he’s an intelligent striker who can run in behind defences and that gives us another option to what we already have.” Having seen the player turn out as a trialist for Morton, Alex is satisfied that he is fit enough to be considered for a starting place in Saturday’s First Division opener at Livingston. And, with last season’s top scorer Derek Lyle suspended for the first four games of the season, the new man is set to form an international strike force with Czech Jan Zemlik.

Montrose 2 Dundee 2, Links Park, 28/July/07

Dundee missed a great chance to end their pre-season with a win when a fine second half fight back from Montrose saw the third division side snatch a deserved draw.Goals from Jan Zemlik and Alex Rae appeared to have Dundee on easy street as they dominated the first half - but after a fantastic save from Mark Peat to deny Zemlik early in the second half the home side battled hard to level the scores. Their goals coming from substitute John Maitland and striker John Baird.

Dundee PreSeason Games and News..............

Dundee Sign Striker

Dundee have completed the signing of Czech striker Jan Zemlik. The six foot seven inch forward has linked up at Dens Park after convincing manager Alex Rae of his ability during a two week trial at the club. Zemlik scored a hat-trick in a bounce game on Friday for the Dark Blues and now joins new recruit Frederic Daquin.

Dundee beat Millwall 2-1 at Dens on Saturday thanks to two goals from new striker Jan Zemlik, another czech player played centre half and he will likely be offered a deal by Alex Rae.

Dundee’s Czech contingent doubled today when experienced defender Milan Palenik was signed on a one-year deal after impressing boss Alex Rae in the weekend win over Millwall. And today, Alex confirmed the free agent had been snapped up quickly to add experience and depth to his defensive options. “He looked the part on Saturday. He’s strong and knew his position well — he’ll add experience at the back and extra quality,” he said. And while he was remaining cautious about success in a friendly, the gaffer also didn’t hide his delight with the way new striker Jan Zemlik is settling in. “The big man is a handful for defences and is scoring as well. If that continues we will all be happy with him. However, it’s still early and these are not the games that matter. No-one is getting carried away.” Zemlik is likely to be on duty again when Dundee send a strong team to Arbroath tomorrow night. “I’m leaning towards it being mainly first-team men at Arbroath and we have a closed-door game at Hibs on Wednesday, so everyone should get a run over the two games. “That’s important because we need everyone to get games they need, but it’s also important we keep everyone fit.” Portuguese striker Andre Martins has arrived on trial. He’s trained with Bayern Munich and is also wanted by Partick.

Dundee manager Alex Rae has turned down an all-expenses-paid trip to the Olympic Stadium in Athens a week on Saturday, where the Dens men would have played a game against top European opposition. Meanwhile, Dundee’s pre-season build-up continued last night with a 1-0 win over Arbroath at Gayfield, courtesy of a goal by trialist Andre Martins. The success was marred by the early injury to goalkeeper Ludovic Roy and the sending-off of his replacement Craig Samson for handling outside the box. Left-back Paul Dixon ended up between the sticks for the final few minutes of the match.

Dundee 2 Kilmarnock 2, Dens Park, 21/July/07

IF A manager truly does pass on some of his own characteristics to his players, then it seems Alex Rae has transmitted plenty of his tenacity on to this Dundee team. Against Kilmarnock on Saturday they had to come back from a goal down on two occasions, but did so with aplomb and could quite easily have secured victory over their Premier League opposition. Of course, Rae, who was without towering Czech Jan Zemlik due to injury, would prefer if his players did not need to call upon their powers of recovery too often but he must have been refreshed to see their fighting spirit shine through. Milan Palenik, who signed on a one-year deal last week, won his contract on the back of a flawless performance against Millwall last time out but was given a more testing introduction to Scottish football by Paul di Giacomo, whose quick feet left the Czech flailing inside the box and won Kilmarnock a 19th-minute penalty. Di Giacomo scored from the spot but, like so many times last season, that jolted Dundee into life and encouraged them to produce better. Bob Davidson hit the post with a cracking shot from 18 yards before Derek Lyle, whose influence will be sorely missed in the opening month of the season trough suspension, sent a shot high into the top corner to equalise. Man-of-the-moment Steven Naismith then restored Killie’s lead in 62 minutes but new signing David O’Brien, who already looks a shrewd acquisition from Stirling Albion, secured the draw with a shot at the back post a minute later. Goalkeeper Craig Samson, in for injured captain Ludovic Roy, has watched his new team-mates gel over the past few weeks and is upbeat about the season ahead. He said, “We’ve been preparing well, our training has gone brilliantly and we’re all looking forward to the new season. “Although you can’t read too much into pre-season games, we’re unbeaten in two against good opposition so our confidence is growing all the time. “I had a personal interest in doing well against Killie because I grew up with a lot of their guys and there was a lot of banter flying about last week.
“A couple of them were on the phone telling me they were going to score past me and I got a few texts but, thankfully, we got a draw so the bragging rights are even. “When I signed the manager said he was looking to bring in more players and he’s done that.
“The squad is looking strong. He’s happy with the squad so now it’s going to be up to us to prove his faith in us is justified and that we’re good enough to get back into the SPL.

Dundee 1 Motherwell 2, Dens Park, 24/July/07

DUNDEE’S unbeaten pre-season run was ended as SPL Motherwell ran out winners in a largely low-key friendly at Dens Park.Chances were rare until a spell of six second-half minutes that saw three high-quality strikes.The first came in 69 minutes when one-time Dundee United target Chris Porter hit the back of the net from no more than a yard after a Trevor Molloy cross was knocked down by skipper Jim Paterson.As they had done against top-flight Kilmarnock at the weekend, the Dark Blues roared back and impressive sub David O’Brien netted with a fine 14-yard strike just four minutes later.Little over a minute after that, though, the Steelmen earned victory with a goal fit to win any game—Irishman Molloy blasting home from all of 25 yards from a short free-kick.While disappointed, Dundee manager Alex Rae highlighted the quality of the goal that had beaten his team and overall was not unhappy with the effort put in.
“In the end it’s a wonder strike that beat us, but the boys worked hard and that will have done them some good,” he said. We made changes in the second half to make sure the boys who needed a run-out got some action and I think that made the game a bit disjointed.”
After a quiet start, Dundee had come within a whisker of taking the lead in the 10th minute. A Freddie Daquin corner reached Gary McKenzie in the box and the big defender was unlucky to see his hooked shot hit the post. The home side had enjoyed the better of the early exchanges and a Gavin Swankie cross from the left reached Daquin at the back post. He cut the ball back, but there were no takers. The visitors had taken time to get going and when they pushed forward Martyn Corrigan curled a 20-yard effort a yard wide of Ludovic Roy’s goal.
Dundee started the second half with a new central defensive partnership of Danny Griffin and Craig Sives and with Daquin in a central striking role after O’Brien had replaced Bob Davidson.
If the home team had started the first half stronger, it was their SPL opponents who took the initiative in the opening minutes of the second. Molloy, a 53rd-minute replacement for veteran Phil O’Donnell, might have broken the deadlock when he moved the ball on to his left foot 14 yards from goal, but Dixon’s block deflected the ball behind. otherwell’s Porter then made his way to the edge of the box where his floated finish went yards wide. The big Englishman made amends with his goal and then suddenly the game had come to life, though that turned out to be bad news for the home side.
Dundee—Roy, Worrell, McKenzie (Sives 45), Palenik (Griffin 45), Dixon, Daquin (Zemlik 68), McDonald (McHale 58), Robertson (Rae 71), Swankie, Davidson (O’Brien 45), Lyle. Sub not used—Murray.