Devine Proud as Glens Show Resilience in Narrow Defeat
Glentoran manager Declan Devine expressed immense pride in his players after they suffered a narrow 2-1 first-leg defeat to Latvian side RFS in the Conference League first qualifying round at the Oval. Despite the loss, Devine insisted his side will travel to Riga with “huge confidence” for the second leg on 16 July, believing the tie is still very much alive.
Rossi’s Dream Debut Turns Sour
It was a whirlwind 24 hours for new signing Zeno Rossi, who was announced just hours before kick-off and marked his debut with a goal after only seven minutes. The Italian defender rose highest to head home and send the home crowd into raptures. However, RFS responded through Martins Kigurs, who struck twice to put the visitors in control at the break. Devine was full of admiration for Rossi’s impact, given his lack of match fitness.
“I think Zeno coming in for his debut, having trained with the team once, and scoring on his debut and putting on the performance that he put on, deserves huge credit,” Devine said. “He was the only one in our whole squad that has 90 minutes under their belts since probably the end of March.”
Game Plan Worked But Luck Deserted Glens
Devine felt his tactical setup was executed perfectly by his players, who often hit RFS on the counter-attack and defended resolutely. The manager cited poor fortune for the two goals conceded, believing both came from deflections or moments of good fortune for the Latvians.
“I was super proud of the players and the effort that they’ve put in. Their two goals are huge slices of good luck in it. I thought we defended brilliantly and we hit them on the counter-attack. Our game plan worked really well. We were solid, we needed to be solid. We asked questions of them, especially late in the second half. All the boys should take huge credit and confidence going into Latvia.”
Second Leg: All to Play For
With only a one-goal deficit, Glentoran head to Riga knowing an away goal could turn the tie on its head. Devine pointed to the late pressure his side exerted, forcing RFS to time-waste, as a sign that the opponents were rattled. The Glens will be backed by a large travelling support, and Devine is relishing the occasion.
“We’ve got to take confidence that they’re holding on for dear life at the end, trying to kill time. We have a huge travelling support when we’re going to Riga. Game on.”
Key Takeaways
- Glentoran remain in the tie: A 2-1 first-leg defeat leaves everything to play for in Latvia, with an away goal potentially priceless.
- Rossi’s instant impact: The debutant defender scored and impressed in his first game for the club, defying a lack of match sharpness.
- Devine’s tactical praise: The manager believes his game plan worked and that luck was the decisive factor in RFS’s two goals.
- Second-leg belief: Late dominance and strong away support give Glentoran hope of a comeback.
Quick Facts
Competition: UEFA Conference League First Qualifying Round
First-leg result: Glentoran 1-2 RFS
Goal scorers: Zeno Rossi 7' (Glentoran), Martins Kigurs 20', 38' (RFS)
Second leg: Thursday, 16 July, in Riga, Latvia
Manager quote: “It’s only half-time... All the boys should take huge credit.”
Source: BBC Sport
