ROBBIE KEANE led Ferencvaros to the knockout stages of the Europa League last night.
But he was made to sweat late on in his first home game in charge of the Hungarian giants as Troy Parrott’s AZ Alkmaar launched a dramatic late comeback.
His side ultimately won 4-3 to ensure their progression in the Europa League[/caption]
Parrott came off the bench to score a consolation goal in the 90th minute that made it 4-2[/caption]
Keane’s evening went to plan until the game’s final moments with his side 4-1 up.
Parrott gave AZ hope with a goal before Sven Mijnans netted a third.
And Ireland’s record goalscorer needed his keeper Adam Varga to hold firm with a last-gasp catch to preserve three points.
But Keane was thrilled as his side raced into a 3-0 lead before the break.
He spent most of the half prowling his technical area — issuing pointed instructions.
But given the noise the home fans made, it is unlikely that anyone heard him.
Adama Traore’s thunderbolt from 20 yards was the pick of the first half bunch.
And that hit was sandwiched between headers from Mohammad Ali Ben Romdhane and Mohammad Abu Fani.
Parrott was then brought on past the hour but his introduction was overshadowed by disorder in the away section — with riot police called in.
Mijnans soon reduced AZ’s deficit 14 minutes from time.
When Barnabas Varga netted a late penalty, it looked like that would seal a superb introduction for Keane.
But Parrott’s 90th-minute piledriver — his third Europa League goal of the campaign — was quickly followed by Mijnans’ second.
Netminder Varga then had to claim a late ball to seal the deal.
And Keane — whose side face a play-off next month against Roma or Viktoria Plzen — said: “I was pleased with 85 minutes.
“I thought we were in control and played some good football.
“In the last ten minutes you need to manage the game and be clever, that was the big thing.”
