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1 vs 1
Played
September 29, 2011 6:00 PM BST
Celtic Park — Glasgow
Referee:‬ B. Yildirim‎
Attendance:‬ 28476‎
 
3′ (PG) Sung-Yueng KI
Almen Abdi 88′ (PG)
Top of the Match
Samir Handanoviç
Samir Handanoviç
Udinese
Flop of the Match
Thierry Doubai
Thierry Doubai
Udinese

Celtic 1-1 Udinese: Neil Lennon’s side denied memorable victory as late Abdi penalty snatches point for Serie A side

It was heartbreak for Neil Lennon's side after a controversial late penalty ruled out South Korean winger Ki's early spot-kick and denied them their first win in Group I

By Shane Farrington

UEFA Europa League : Gary Hooper -Emmanuel Badu, Celtic v Udinese
Getty Images
Celtic drew 1-1 against Serie A outfit Udinese leaving them still looking for their first win of this season's Europa League campaign after a controversial late Almen Abdi spot-kick ruled out Ki Sung-Yueng's second minute penalty.

Celtic started lively and were awarded a penalty in just the second minute of the game following a clash between Gary Hooper and Joel Ekstrand. The Englishman collected the ball from the right before turning the Udinese defender who clipped his leg. After momentarily pausing, the Turkish referee Bulent Yildirim pointed to the spot.

South Korean Ki Sung-Yeung confidently stepped up to smash the spot-kick towards the right of Samir Handonovic to hand the home side the early advantage. The Italian side looked like a team who had made eight changes - including leaving top scorer Antonio Di Natale at home.

The away team almost got back into the game out of the blue mid-way through the half. Christian Battocchio whipped in a dangerous looking free-kick which Lukasz Zaluska did well to hold with players looking for a timely flick.

The Scottish giants almost added a second in the 30th minute. Clever play by Forrest down the right resulted in the winger playing a smart ball to Hooper, who turned well before unleashing a stinging 20-yard shot which Handonovic did well to parry to safety.

Udinese began the second period in a more positive fashion but it was their opponents who created the first chance of the half. Charlie Mulgrew bent a fantastic free-kick from 25 yards which forced Handanovic into his second diving save of the game.

The visitors thought they had clawed their way back into the match in the 63rd match when Benatia got on the end of a smartly worked free-kick from Battocchio. However his effort was ruled out after Hooper was fouled inside the penalty area in the lead up to the attempt.

The away side sensed a nervousness in the Celtic backline and continued to press for an equaliser but again the hosts created the next chance. A quick break led to the ball being played back to Ki who again worked Handanovic.

From the resulting attack Udinese stormed up the pitch and Mauricio Isla called Zaluska into a flying save. However, they were handed the chance to draw level a minute later when Neuton fell under a challenge inside the penalty area.

Almen Abdi stepped up and sent Zaluska the wrong way, passing the ball to the left of the goalkeeper's net.

The home side almost grabbed a late winner only for Mulgrew to again be stopped by man of the match Handanovic in goal. Next up for the Neil Lennon’s men is a double-header against French side Rennes which will likely go some way to deciding whether or not they will progress to the knock-out stages.


Celtic

24
Lukasz Zaluska
Goalkeeper
3.0
2
Adam Matthews
Defender
3.0
5
3.0
21
Charles Mulgrew
Defender
3.0
16
Joe Ledley
Defender
46′
2.0
18
Sung-Yueng KI
Midfielder
3′
3.5
33
Beram Kayal
Midfielder
24′
3.0
49
James Forrest
Striker
72′
3.0
67
3.0
14
3.0
88
Gary Hooper
Striker
3.5

Udinese

4.0
1
Samir Handanoviç
Goalkeeper
2.0
5
Danilo
Defender
2.0
8
Dušan Basta
Defender
46′
2.0
13
Neuton
Defender
2.0
24
Joel Ekstrand
Defender
80′
2.5
7
Badu
Midfielder
52′
2.5
18
3.0
23
Almen Abdi
Midfielder
88′
2.0
-
Thierry Doubai
Midfielder
2.0
37
Roberto Pereyra
Midfielder
46′
2.5
31

Substitutes

1
Fraser Forster
Goalkeeper
-
12
Mark Wilson
Defender
46′
2.0
22
Glenn Loovens
Defender
-
58
-
9
2.0
10
-
20
Paddy McCourt
Midfielder
-

Substitutes

-
21
Daniele Padelli
Goalkeeper
2.5
27
Pablo Armero
Defender
67′
2.5
17
Mehdi Benatia
Defender
46′
3.0
3
Mauricio Isla
Midfielder
46′
-
66
Giampiero Pinzi
Midfielder
-
20
Kwadwo Asamoah
Midfielder
-
43

Coach/Manager

-
-

Coach/Manager

 
  • Goal
  • Own Goal
  • Penalty
  • Penalty Missed
  • Yellow Card
  • Assist
  • Penalty Save
  • Penalty Shootout Goal
  • Penalty Shootout Miss
  • Yellow Card / Red Card
  • Red Card
  • Substitution IN
  • Substitution OUT
  • Injury
  • Goal.com Rating
  • Goal.com Man of the Match
  • Goal.com Flop of the Match
  • Top & Flop Global Ranking
  • Fans' Man of the Match
  • Fans' Flop of the Match
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Striker
Schalke
14 3
Radamel Falcao Radamel Falcao
Striker
Atlético Madrid
12 1
Adrián Adrián
Striker
Atlético Madrid
10 0
Fernando Llorente Torres Fernando Llorente Torres
Striker
Bilbao
7 2
Jonatan Ezequiel Cristaldo Jonatan Ezequiel Cristaldo
Striker
Metalist Kharki
7 0