Derry City’s Europa Conference League tie against HNK Rijeka is still in the balance after the first leg, at a rain-soaked Stadion HNK.
Croatian international Toni Fruk’s second half goal was enough to separate the sides, but City boss Tiernan Lynch will take heart that his side weren’t troubled for long periods and will hoping they can have another memorable night at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, for next Thursday night’s second leg.
The Candystripes produced a super professional first half and nullified the Croatia men’s threat, while in the final 10 minutes they slowly grew into the contest.
While the home side had a host of long range shots, which were either charged down or flew well over the bar, it was Derry who went closest on 40 minutes as Michael Duffy’s shot from the left hand side of the box took a big deflection on its way past a flat-footed Aleksa Todorovic.
Right at the start of the second half Rijeka had their first effort on target as Fruk’s quick free-kick released Miaden Devetak’s but the left-back’s low angled drive was tipped around the post by a diving Brian Maher.
That man Fruk would not be denied on 52 minutes however, as Branko Pavic’s pass found Daniel Adu-Adjei inside the box and his clever flick found the Croatian international, who gave Maher no chance and coolly fired home from close range.
The second leg will be at home for Derry at the Brandywell
Soon after Riejka went close to doubling their lead as Niko Jankovic’s got in behind Patrick McClean, before teeing up Adu-Adjei, but his close range shot was cleared off the line by debutant Brooklyn Lyons-Foster, before Tiago Dantas’ follow-up shot from the left hand side of the six yard box was saved by Maher.
Derry gaffer Tiernan Lynch made a triple change just after the hour mark with James Clarke, Adam O’Reilly and Cameron Dummigan replacing Liam Boyce, Nick Twisk and Jamie Stott and they went close to levelling things on 65 minutes but Aleksa Todorovic did well to hold onto Duffy’s 20 yard strike, after the winger cut in from the left.
A short corner routine by Rijeka failed to work out as O’Reilly broke from his own half before his left footed cross would have picked out a diving Duffy inside the box, but for Fruk’s outstanding last ditch clearance.
Right at the death substitute Justas Lasickas went close to adding a second, after Derry failed to clear their lines properly, but with his first touch he could only turn the ball wide from six yards.
HNK Rijeka: Aleksa Todorovic, Niko Jankovic, Alfonso Barco, Branko Pavic, Toni Fruk (Lasickas, 90), Amer Gojak (Rukavina, 79), Daniel Adu-Adjei (Matej Juric, 68), Ante Orec, Tiago Dantas, Miaden Devetak, Ante Majstorovic.
Derry City: Brian Maher, Brooklyn Lyons-Foster (Conor Barr, 75), Jamie Stott (Cameron Dummigan, 62), Patrick McClean, Bradon Fleming; Barry Cotter, Nick Twisk (Adam O’Reilly, 62), James Olayinka (Darragh Burns, 80), Ellis Chapman, Michael Duffy; Liam Boyce (James Clarke, 62).
Referee: Jose Lyis Munera (Spain).