DAMIEN DELANEY IS remaining defiant in spite of a defeat which has left Cork City’s European hopes hanging by a thread.
The Leesiders are on course to be eliminated from the Europa League after their 2-0 loss to Rosenborg at Turner’s Cross last night.
The result means that City will have a mountain to climb in the second leg of their third qualifying round tie in Trondheim next Thursday.
A first-half brace from Jonathan Levi put the Norwegian champions in the ascendancy, and while it was a mostly commendable display from John Caulfield’s side, Delaney admitted afterwards that they were undone by lapses in concentration and squandered opportunities.
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“In the first half we played some great football and we got in a number of times, but in those spells you need to take your chances,” said the 37-year-old centre-half, who lamented City’s “terrible” defending for the concession of the two goals.
“Having said that, when you don’t, you can’t just go and give up two [chances] in the space of three or four minutes. That’s the level of concentration that you need; that when you’re on top and you’re having a good spell, you don’t leave one in behind you.”
City had 12 attempts on goal (just one fewer than Rosenborg), as well as 11 corners in comparison to just one for their opponents. However, they were unable to find a way past André Hansen, as the Leesiders drew a blank for the fifth consecutive European game.
Nevertheless, in spite of the two-goal deficit, Delaney is adamant that City’s hopes of advancing to a tie against RB Salzburg or KF Shkëndija are far from over.
He said: “I hope the lads saw tonight that we can definitely get something out of this game, without question. They’re a good side, but I think we’re a very, very good side as well.
“I think we showed that we’re more than capable of going there and turning it around. But we’re going to need the same level [of performance] and the end-product as well.”
The former Ireland international added: “Are they better than us? I think we’re equal to them, definitely. We showed in portions of the game tonight that we’re better than them. But sitting here at 2-0 down, it’s a valuable lesson but a harsh lesson.”
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'We showed that we're more than capable of going there and turning it around'
DAMIEN DELANEY IS remaining defiant in spite of a defeat which has left Cork City’s European hopes hanging by a thread.
The Leesiders are on course to be eliminated from the Europa League after their 2-0 loss to Rosenborg at Turner’s Cross last night.
The result means that City will have a mountain to climb in the second leg of their third qualifying round tie in Trondheim next Thursday.
A first-half brace from Jonathan Levi put the Norwegian champions in the ascendancy, and while it was a mostly commendable display from John Caulfield’s side, Delaney admitted afterwards that they were undone by lapses in concentration and squandered opportunities.
“In the first half we played some great football and we got in a number of times, but in those spells you need to take your chances,” said the 37-year-old centre-half, who lamented City’s “terrible” defending for the concession of the two goals.
“Having said that, when you don’t, you can’t just go and give up two [chances] in the space of three or four minutes. That’s the level of concentration that you need; that when you’re on top and you’re having a good spell, you don’t leave one in behind you.”
City had 12 attempts on goal (just one fewer than Rosenborg), as well as 11 corners in comparison to just one for their opponents. However, they were unable to find a way past André Hansen, as the Leesiders drew a blank for the fifth consecutive European game.
Nevertheless, in spite of the two-goal deficit, Delaney is adamant that City’s hopes of advancing to a tie against RB Salzburg or KF Shkëndija are far from over.
He said: “I hope the lads saw tonight that we can definitely get something out of this game, without question. They’re a good side, but I think we’re a very, very good side as well.
“I think we showed that we’re more than capable of going there and turning it around. But we’re going to need the same level [of performance] and the end-product as well.”
The former Ireland international added: “Are they better than us? I think we’re equal to them, definitely. We showed in portions of the game tonight that we’re better than them. But sitting here at 2-0 down, it’s a valuable lesson but a harsh lesson.”
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Europa League League of Ireland LOI Reaction Rosenborg Cork City