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Page last updated at 12:43 GMT, Friday, 17 July 2009 13:43 UK

Azerbaijan trip on Bangor horizon

Europa League

Welsh Premier League club Bangor City face a possible trip to Azerbaijan if they can overhaul Honka Espoo's 2-0 Europa League lead on Thursday.

The winners after the second qualifying round, second-leg at Wrexham face either Norway's Rosenborg or Qarabag of Azerbaijan in the next round.

Citizens boss Neville Powell vowed they will give the rematch their best shot.

Powell said: "The tie's not dead yet. If we can get the first goal up at Wrexham, it's game on."

After Thursday's first tie Powell added: "It was our first competitive game. The lads performed really well."

Bangor trailed 1-0 at the break to midfielder Joel Perovuo's strike and Rasmus Schuller hit home with 16 minutes left.

But his side's efforts left Powell beaming with pride.

He said: "I'm really pleased with them. You couldn't fault them.

"The lads performed really well. It looked for a long time as if we were going to finish 1-0. But they broke away and got their second.

"We had our chances - we created four good chances and at this level you've got to be able to take one."

However, there was some disappointment in Bangor ranks that Powell believes can help inspire them in the rematch.

He said: "We were desperate to maybe pinch an away goal, but we'll just focus on the game next week and we know we've got to score that first goal and we'll do everything we can to do that.

"There's nothing stopping us going there and putting a good show on and hopefully, first-half we could have had two goals.

"We had one cleared off the line and Chris Sharp took an extra touch when he was clean through when he should have fired first time.

"But the lads performed marvellously. Each and every one of them performed 120% and we'll go into the third-round draw on Friday hopeful we can turn it around next week. We'll give it our best shot.

"They're a full-time team with a fitness advantage. They've got three or four Under 21 internationals in their side so their movement, pace and their shape - we know all about that - but the lads will be fitter for it next week."


Europa League third round qualifying ties involving British & Irish clubs:

Honka/Bangor City v Rosenborg/Qarabag

Falkirk/Vaduz v Slovan Liberec

St Patrick's/Valletta v Krylia Sovetov

CSKA Sofia v Skonto/Derry City

Steaua Bucharest/Ujpest v Flamurtari/Motherwell

Aberdeen v Sigma Olomouc/Fram Reykjavik

Rabotnicki/Crusaders v Odense

Vetra/HJK Helsinki v Fulham



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see also
FC Honka 2-0 Bangor City
16 Jul 09 |  Europe


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