Trabzon visits Derry City in Europa League qualifier

DERRY

Trabzonspor has beaten Northern Irish Derry City 4-2 in the first leg game. AA photo

Trabzonspor will try to hold onto its 4-2 first leg lead when it visits Derry City in the Europa League second qualifying round on July 25.

The Black Sea Storm had its problems against the Northern Irish side, but got a key 4-2 win on its way to the second-tier European club football competition.

Trabzonspor forward Emre Güral said the team was looking to book its place in the next round, where it would meet the winner of the tie between Dinamo Minsk of Belarus and Lokomotiva Zagreb of Croatia.

We have the upper hand, Güral says

Güral regretted that the team had allowed two goals at home, but said the team still had the upper hand.

“We should not have allowed those two goals, but we are still going there with a good result,” the 22-year-old said. “We aim to advance to the next round with a good result in Derry.”

Derry City coach Declan Devine said the tie was still alive. “I am bitterly disappointed with our defending for the four goals we conceded; it was very poor,” Devine told the BBC after the game. “But in terms of character, commitment and desire I couldn’t criticize my players. The tie is still very much alive.”

The game at the Brandywell starts at 9:45 p.m.