– Paul Dollery reports from Warsaw
THE SCORELINE DIDN’T accurately reflect the contest.
That was the view of Cork City goalkeeper Peter Cherrie in the aftermath of tonight’s 3-0 defeat to Legia Warsaw, which sent the Polish champions through to the second qualifying round of the Champions League with a 4-0 aggregate victory.
“I don’t think it did,” Cherrie said. “I think the boys dug in and we played well. Like the home leg, we had enough chances, we didn’t take them but Legia are a great, great side. The boys dug in and worked hard. That’s all you can ask for.”
Legia — who were 1-0 winners in the first leg at Turner’s Cross seven days ago — now advance to a meeting with Spartak Trnava (Slovakia) or HŠK Zrinjski Mostar (Bosnia & Herzegovina) after goals from Jose Kante, Miroslav Radovic and Carlitos in tonight’s second leg.
“I went, I didn’t get there... it happens.”
— The42.ie (@The42_ie) July 17, 2018
Cork City goalkeeper Peter Cherrie reacts to their Champions League elimination tonight at the hands of Legia Warsaw. pic.twitter.com/L1SSb9P8vO
Legia were undoubtedly the better side, but City were the architects of their own downfall in many respects. Cherrie was punished for Kante’s 27th-minute opener when he attempted to clear a Mateusz Wieteska cross. Radovic converted from the penalty spot after a mix-up between Garry Buckley and Conor McCormack allowed Legia to pounce.
“We knew we were going to be under pressure right from the off,” said Cherrie, who also made a host of fine saves. “It was a matter of concentrating and defending well and we did that. Maybe a mistake for the first goal — okay, it happens, but we defended well.”
Elaborating on the part he played in Legia’s first goal, Cherrie explained that he felt it was necessary to race out from his goal in an attempt to stop Wieteska’s cross from reaching Cafu, who then set up Kante to score.
W taki sposób Jose Kante otworzył wynik spotkania i swój dorobek bramkowy w koszulce z "eLką" na piersi ⚽️💪 pic.twitter.com/cgg3Kc6lgp
— Legia Warszawa (@LegiaWarszawa) July 17, 2018
“To be honest, I thought I had to come,” said the 34-year-old Scot, who retained his place in the starting line-up in the absence of injured first-choice goalkeeper Mark McNulty.
“I knew I wasn’t getting it, but I knew I had to come and make myself big because he was standing on his own. That’s what it looked like to me. I went, I didn’t get there — it happens.”
After being eliminated from the Champions League, Cork City will now go into the draw for the third qualifying round of the Europa League.
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