Linfield boss David Healy was in upbeat mood about his side's chances of progressing in this year's Champions League despite a 1-0 defeat to The New Saints, vowing: "We lost the battle tonight but we'll be ready for next week."
Ryan Brobbel scored the only goal just before the hour mark of last night's first qualifying round first leg fixture in Oswestry but the Blues squandered several good chances against the Welsh champions. The teams meet again at Windsor Park next Wednesday and Northern Ireland legend Healy will be hoping his attackers can find the same clinical edge he displayed for his country so many times at the famous South Belfast venue.
TNS keeper Connor Roberts made three smart stops in the second-half, most notably when Healy's star summer signing Robbie McDaid should have scored having been sent clean through by Joel Cooper.
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On the former Glentoran striker's competitive debut, Healy said: "I thought Robbie's fitness levels were extraordinary tonight. I thought his overall play and contribution to the game was good.
"He's only going to get better once he works out - and we work out - the way Robbie wants to play. A huge positive for me was Robbie getting through the minutes the way he did tonight.
"Yes, there was a chance, but there were one or two other chances for other players that we didn't capitalise on. Next week when the chances arise I'm sure the players will be sharper and hungry to score goals."
Roberts, who was named the home side's man of the match, also denied Stephen Fallon twice and Jordan Stewart, while Matthew Clarke had a header dramatically cleared off the line by Daniel Davies. But it was tricky winger Brobbel, a former NI U21 international, who caught the eye at the other end, proving a handful for Linfield debutant Daniel Finlayson at right-back.
The Saints dumped Glentoran out of the Europa Conference League last season and had the upper hand in terms of possession and territory on the newly relaid artificial turf at Park Hall. Brobbel and Scottish striker Declan McManus looked a real threat, both going close to extending their lead with efforts that drifted just inches over Chris Johns' crossbar.
Healy added: "We knew coming into the game that TNS were a good team and would be tough to play against on their own pitch. Naturally we're disappointed to lose the game but there's room for a lot of improvement in our own general play.
"We got better. I thought in the first 30 minutes we looked short of games but we reassessed, got in, and then the goal we conceded was disappointing. To lose the goal in the manner we did was frustrating but credit to the players, they reacted and created two, three, four good opportunities in the second-half, which we didn't capitalise on."
Jimmy Callacher, Niall Quinn and Eetu Vertainen missed the first leg through injury, but Healy was impressed with his side's fitness towards the end of both halves. The Irish Premiership champions visit Knockbreda for a friendly on Saturday before next week's second leg, with Bodø/Glimt (Norway) or KÍ (Faroe Islands) the prize for the winners.
Healy said: "It's something we've tried to drum into the players about the fitness levels. I spoke to their manager before the game, Anthony [Limbrick] and said how it's strange for both clubs because the big games are at the start of the season when players aren't 15, 16 games into the season.
"Financially for both clubs it's huge to get through rounds in Europe. I thought our fitness levels were good and with four or five sessions in between - and a friendly game on Saturday - we'll be a bit sharper next Wednesday."
Officially there were 250 Linfield fans amongst the 1,034-strong crowd at Park Hall on Tuesday, although in reality it was many more with Blues fans in the home stand and hospitality suite. Calling for a big crowd to roar his side to victory in the home leg, Healy added: "With the way the Covid situation has been over the last couple of years, away fans haven't really got to too many of the European games, but credit to the supporters tonight.
"I'm sure on Wednesday next week we'll look forward to a big support backing the players. We lost the battle tonight but we'll be ready for next week."
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