Dundee United manager Peter Houston admitted his team will be up against it in Athens but insisted they can still claim a shock win in the Greek capital next week.
Speaking after Thursday night’s 1-0 home defeat against AEK Athens in their Europa League qualifier, Houston conceded his players were hit by nerves in the opening stages but reckons they will be stronger for the experience in six days’ time.
“If you ask me if we are out of the tie I have to say no,” said the Tannadice gaffer. “It is a massive task in front of us but we have a chance.
“This experience will bring us on. We have to get a goal over there so we’ll be positive and set out to get it.
“As it stands we’re out so we have to go there and go for it. If we go out there, work as hard and be as committed but pass the ball better then who knows what can happen?
“I cannot fault the players for effort and commitment. AEK are an experienced European team and the biggest disappointment for me is that we gave the ball away too cheaply and too often.
“We can use the ball better and the players know that themselves. That was down to nerves. We don’t have much European experience not many of them have performed at this level in their careers and it showed. We tried too hard at times.
“AEK use the ball well and we will have learned a lot from tonight. It’s 1-0 and we have to remember it’s only 1-0. That’s what the players are saying to themselves in the dressing-room.”
United had a great chance to equalise through Jon Daly late in the game but the skipper sent the ball past the post and Houston revealed the Irishman knows he should have scored.
“Jon Daly now realises he probably had another second or two on the ball so he says he should have scored,” said his manager. “But it was just down to lacking that composure I talked about.
I can’t fault anyone for the effort they put in.”
Daly added, “We are disappointed we did not take our opportunity but the tie is far from over. We are still confident we can score an away goal and take the tie.
“We knew they were a good side and they passed the ball well and had a lot of experience. But we didn’t play to our full potential and still gave them a game. That will spur us on over there.
“For their goal, we were pushing forward when they hit us on the break. It hit us for six.
“The crowd tried to lift us and they really were fantastic tonight.”
When asked abut his late chance, the striker said, “It was one of those. I was playing up front on my own and didn’t get many great chances.
“The only one I got I ended up snatching at it. Looking back I could have taken a touch. I didn’t have a great connection and pulled it wide.
“Playing at this level you have to take those chances.”
Meanwhile, AEK boss Dusan Bajevic cautioned against over-confidence ahead of next week’s encounter.
“I am very happy and pleased with the result,” said the Bosnian. “Scoring early helped us because it relieved the stress but I felt we could have scored more goals.
“The game is only at half-time, though, and Dundee United will have nothing to lose so they will give everything to get to the next round. So we have to take the game seriously.
“I cannot comment on Dundee United but I expect them to be stronger and better next week. My own team will also be stronger.”
Tannadice chairman Stephen Thompson, like Daly, thought the United fans gave the team tremendous backing.
“Our support was fantastic and I would like to say a huge thank you to them all,” said Thompson.For a full match report, click here, and to view a gallery of photos from the match click here.