Brian Maher hails 'power of a full Brandywell' ahead of European showdown with Rijeka
BRIAN MAHER hailed the 'power of a full Brandywell' Stadium and hopes Derry City can use it once again to their advantage in Thursday's Uefa Conference League second-round qualifier second-leg tie against Rijeka.
The Derry goalkeeper called on fans to pack the ground to its rafters and ruffle the visiting Croatians as they bid to overcome a 1-0 deficit from the first leg.
It's a second European tie of the season on Foyleside and despite the disturbances which marred the Europa League qualifier against CSKA Sofia, the atmosphere created by the home fans was memorable.
Maher hopes the Brandywell Faithful can recreate the noise from the terraces to help them extend their European journey into the third round qualifying phase.
"We will give it our best shot," said Derry's No.1. "We know we need a full Brandywell behind us. Last week [against CSKA Sofia] was one of the best I've ever seen at the Brandywell since I've been here, going back a few years.
"We know the power of a full Brandywell and the noise. It drove us on last week and I think if it weren't for some things that went on, we could have gotten that second goal. It was very disappointing, but it will be a very different game in Derry and it's something to look forward to and relish.
"It's a massive night. We're disappointed to come in with a 1-0 loss but at the same time we know the tie is alive. We want to be able to come back now and get our fans to cram out the Brandywell and see if we can have a go at this.
"That was the aim as soon as last week happened and we've managed to do that again, probably in a different way than Sofia. Obviously it's 1-0 this time. It's going to be a massive night; we know that. Brandywell is hopefully going to be packed to the rafters and there's no place like it."
Croatian international Toni Fruk made the difference in the tie in Rijeka with his second half strike but Maher ensured the scoreline was kept to the minimum with two fantastic saves in either half.
Debutante Brooklyn Lyons-Foster also cleared an effort off the line as Derry defended resolutely while Maher pointed out the visitors were at times 'one pass away' from causing their opponents trouble. Michael Duffy had Derry's best chance in the match during the first half while Fruk cut out Adam O'Reilly's cross which looked destined for Duffy's head late in the game.
"We're disappointed, but when you take in the bigger picture, the same as in Bulgaria, the goal was keeping the tie alive and bringing it home and we did manage to do that. We didn't give away loads of chances.
"Of course when you come away in Europe you need blocks, need saves and we've had a goalline clearance but for the majority I think we've done well.
"We've probably had a lack of chances; there were loads of times where we were probably one pass away or our final ball or final part of the puzzle didn't come. There's a lot to look forward to more so than being disappointed that we've lost." The goal itself had an element of fortune as it deflected into Fruk's path inside the box and Maher could do little to stop the clinical strike.
"It threw a few of us. It came into the striker's feet and then the tackle came to their 10 and he finished. We're probably disappointed because when you come away to these places you want that bit of luck to go your way and the tackle to go away but he's a good player and took it well and he'll be happy with it but we've come here and limited them to not much."