Europa League

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Europa League | Third Qualifying Round

Jul 30, 2015 at 5.37pm UK

Kairat
2-1
Aberdeen

Bakayev (13'), Ishlamkhan (22')

FT(HT: 2-0)

McLean (69')

Derek McInnes: Aberdeen "weren't brave enough" in Kairat defeat

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 31 July 2015

Derek McInnes bemoans Aberdeen's slow start against Kairat in the first leg of their Europa League third-round qualifier, having conceded twice early on in Kazakhstan.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has accused his players of 'lacking bravery' in their Europa League third-round qualifier against Kairat.

The Dons conceded two goals inside the opening 22 minutes in Kazakhstan on Thursday evening as they slipped to a 2-1 first-leg defeat.

Kenny McLean's strike in the second half ensured that it is still all to play for in next week's reverse tie, but McInnes wants to see his side get off to a better start at Pittodrie.

"Similar to the Croatian game [against Rejika], we didn't start with enough positive play," BBC Sport quotes the 44-year-old as saying. "In the second half everybody saw the Aberdeen team that I wanted to see from the first minute.

"We weren't brave enough when we didn't have the ball and didn't impose ourselves in the game. Unlike in Croatia, where we probably didn't get punished for that opening 15-minute period, we did tonight with two bits of quality that we knew Kairat had.

"It was an uphill task from then and momentum was with Kairat at 2-0. They've got good confidence and I thought we showed good composure, good mentality and finished the first half strongly. We were guilty of not taking more opportunities."

Aberdeen face Dundee United in their opening Scottish Premiership fixture this coming weekend, before turning attention back to their European exploits.