Dundee United edged into the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup after a narrow 1-0 win over St Mirren at Tannadice.
A first-half goal from defender Ross Graham was all that separated the sides although the woodwork twice came to the Buddies’ rescue.
The visitors had the first opportunity of the game in the second minute with Alex Iacovitti hitting a shot that home goalkeeper Jack Walton tipped wide.
United then came close to opening the scoring with their first real attack when the ball broke to Craig Sibbald 25 yards out and he struck a thunderous drive that cannoned off St Mirren keeper Ellery Balcombe’s crossbar.
Walton was called into action again when he had to acrobatically tip over a Mikael Mandron header from a Fraser Taylor cross.
There was a bizarre incident in the 25th minute when a Graham long throw from the left was allowed to bounce inside the St Mirren box and then hit the crossbar before being cleared for a corner.
Clear-cut opportunities were at a premium but Taylor produced a pinpoint free-kick from the left with Alex Gogic just inches away from connecting for what would have been a tap in.
Instead it was the Terrors who broke the deadlock in the 34th minute when Will Ferry hit a corner from the right to the near post with Graham connecting to send a glancing header into the back of the net.
United came close to doubling their advantage shortly after when a well-worked move ended with Ferry teeing up Luca Stephenson but the defender’s shot was saved by Balcombe.
The Buddies were presented with an early chance at the start of the second half when they were awarded a free-kick 20 yards out but Oisin Smyth was well off target with the ball flying over the bar.
The away fans were screaming for a penalty when Olutoyosi Olusanya tumbled inside the United box but referee John Beaton flashed a yellow card at the St Mirren player for diving.
However, United were denied by the woodwork again in the 73rd minute when Kristijan Trapanovski threaded a superb pass into the feet of sub Louis Moult with the striker smashing an unstoppable shot off the underside of the bar with the ball being cleared.
St Mirren had a chance deep in stoppage time but Jaden Brown’s shot was deflected wide.
[(Strasbourg) Strength]: 1. RC Strasbourg Alsace started with a 1-0 away win over FC Metz in the last Ligue 1 game. Facing FC Nantes in this game, they are motivated to take 3 points.2. RC Strasbourg Alsace were unbeaten with 2 wins and 2 draws in the last 4 games, showing fit form. They secured a 0-0 draw with Brondby IF in the last Conference League match.3. RC Strasbourg Alsace recorded 2 wins,...
[(Juventus FC) Strength]: 1. Juventus FC are undoubtedly motivated to start the new season with a home win in this game.2. Jonathan David scored first in the last warm-up match against Atalanta BC, helping the team secure a win.3. In the last two warm-up games, Juventus FC beat strong Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta BC, showing outstanding form.4. Juventus FC were unbeaten with 4 wins and 1 draw in...
[(AFC Ajax) Strength]: 1. AFC Ajax drew 2-2 with Go Ahead Eagles away from home in the last league match. They have achieved an unbeaten record of one win and one draw in two league games of the new season, maintaining a stable form.2. AFC Ajax's attack has maintained their excellent pre-season form, scoring 11 goals in the last 5 matches, with an average of over 2 goals per game.3. AFC Ajax's hom...
[(Atalanta BC) Strength]: 1. This match is the first round of the new Serie A season. Atalanta BC, playing at home, will strive for a win to get off to a good start, and their fighting spirit is beyond doubt.2. In a recent friendly match against Juventus FC, Lazar Samardzic scored a goal, demonstrating an excellent form.3. Atalanta BC have scored a total of 8 goals and conceded 11 ones in their la...
[(Udinese Calcio) Strength]: 1. Arthur Atta scored the opening goal for the team in the recent Coppa Italia match. He officially joined the club during the offseason, with Udinese Calcio spending 8 million euros to secure his services.2. Udinese Calcio won 2-0 over Carrarese Calcio 1908 in the first Coppa Italia match, welcoming the new season with good performances.3. Udinese Calcio scored 2 goal...
[(Villarreal) Strength]: 1. Villarreal started the new season with an away victory in the opening round, currently sitting near the top of the league table with 3 points. After finishing 5th in La Liga last season and securing a spot in European football, the Yellow Submarine aim to maintain their strong form this campaign. Playing at home in the Estadio de la Ceramica against Girona, the team are...
[(IK Sirius) Strength]: 1. IK Sirius have recently achieved three consecutive victories in all competitions and are in good form. In the last Svenska Cupen match, they defeated Pitea IF 5-0 and advanced to the group stage.[(IK Sirius) Weakness]: 1. IK Sirius currently ranked 12th in the league table. Facing 2nd-placed Hammarby, IK Sirius, who have been performing poorly, have little chance of winn...
[(Osasuna) Strength]: 1. Osasuna lost in the first round of the league and suffered a poor start. This time playing at home, Osasuna will strive for a win to boost morale and are highly motivated.2. Osasuna are strong at home, winning all of their previous four home games.[(Osasuna) Neutral]: 1. Osasuna have scored 6 goals and conceded 8 ones in their last 5 matches. The team's offensive performan...
[(Cagliari) Strength]: 1. Cagliari finished 15th in Serie A last season, taking 36 points, narrowly avoiding relegation by a 5-point lead. In the first home match of the new season, they will face powerhouses ACF Fiorentina. The team are motivated to take home advantage to start with a win.[(Cagliari) Weakness]: 1. Cagliari captain Leonardo Pavoletti will miss the first Serie A round due to his kn...
[(FC Lorient) Strength]: 1. FC Lorient returned to Ligue 1 this season as the champions of France Ligue 2, but lost their first game away from home. This time, they will strive to secure their first win of the season at home, and their desire to win is beyond doubt.2. FC Lorient have performed very strongly at home. Last season, in 17 home games in France Ligue 2, they achieved an impressive recor...


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