Derry City experienced a narrow defeat in their UEFA Conference League second qualifying round, first leg match against HNK Rijeka, with the Croatian side securing a one-goal advantage. The match, held at Stadion HNK Rijeka, saw the home team score early in the second half to take the lead.
Rijeka dominated much of the first half, though they struggled to convert their control into clear chances. Players such as Niko Jankovic, Branko Pavic, and Mladen Devetak all had shots that went over the bar. Derry City, on the other hand, began to assert themselves in the final five minutes of the first half, with Michael Duffy having an effort deflected wide that appeared destined for the net.
Second Half Action and Missed Opportunities
The breakthrough for Rijeka came early in the second half when Fruk scored past Brian Maher, capitalising on a momentary lapse in the visiting defence. The home side nearly extended their lead shortly after, but debutant Brooklyn Lyons-Foster cleared Daniel Adu-Adjei’s shot off the line, and Brian Maher saved Tiago Dantas’ follow-up attempt.
Following a triple substitution, Derry City adopted a more attacking approach. Adam O’Reilly initiated a counterattack, delivering a cross towards Michael Duffy, who was positioned to head the ball in. However, goalscorer Toni Fruk intervened with an acrobatic clearance, denying Duffy a crucial equaliser.
In injury time, Justas Lasickas had a significant opportunity to extend Rijeka’s lead but missed, meaning the Croatian side will travel to the Ryan McBride Brandywell for the return leg with a one-goal advantage.
Derry City’s European Ambitions
Derry City captain Michael Duffy has expressed his ambition for the club to reach the group stages of European competition, a feat that would mark uncharted territory for the Brandywell club. He acknowledges the challenge posed by HNK Rijeka in the second qualifying round, with a potential third-round encounter against either Stjarnan or Ilves Tampere.
The club’s last notable European run was 20 years ago in the UEFA Cup, where they advanced through three rounds with memorable matches against Göteborg, Gretna, and PSG. More recently, in 2023, Derry City came close to reaching the Conference League play-offs, ultimately losing on penalties to Tobol Kostanay.
Tiernan Lynch’s side entered the Conference League second round after a 5-3 aggregate loss to CSKA Sofia in the previous week. Duffy believes the team can draw confidence from their performances against the Bulgarians, despite the defeat. He anticipates that the Croatian opponents will represent a higher level of competition.
Duffy, who previously reached the Europa League group stages with Dundalk, is hopeful that Derry City can emulate other League of Ireland teams that have achieved prolonged European runs in recent years. He emphasised the importance of believing in their ability to compete, especially after their recent performances.
The captain highlighted the special nature of European games, recalling the atmosphere of a packed Brandywell. He stressed the team’s mentality to compete in every game and to maintain the tie’s balance for the home leg. Duffy stated that the team’s plan is to try and win the game, not to sit back defensively.
The squad has seen recent additions, with former Grimsby Town winger Darragh Burns cleared to play after making his Derry debut in an FAI Cup win against Tolka Rovers. With Ellis Chapman in form and new signings Christy Grogan and Nick Twisk showing promise, Duffy believes the team is well-prepared for their trip to Croatia.
The team aims to return to the Brandywell with the tie still open, hoping to create another memorable European night for their fans.
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Source: bbc.com
