Derry City knocked out of FIFA Quaran-Team tournament by QPR at first round stage

Hugill puts QPR ahead for a second time in the game against Derry City.

DERRY CITY's Ultimate Quaran-Team journey proved short-lived as the Foylesiders narrowly lost out to English Championship outfit, Queens Park Rangers at the first round stage of the unique 128 team online tournament.

The Candy Stripes were represented in the FIFA 20 event by on-loan Reading striker, Adam Liddle with the match streamed live on the Brandywell club's official YouTube channel from a virtual Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.

With football leagues across the world suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was a chance for Derry City fans to cheer on their team against the Londoners and Liddle produced a brave fightback.

The striker - who has netted a memorable equalising goal against Finn Harps in the North West derby last month - opted to wear the famous red and white candystripes against the Championship side and made the controversial call to name himself in the starting XI at the expense of regular Tim Nilsen, partnering Walter Figueira in a 4-1-2-1-2 formation.

Peter Cherrie wore the No.1 jersey with Ciaran Coll, Darren Cole, Eoin Toal and Colm Horgan lining out in a back four. Gerardo Bruna, Conor Clifford, Ciaron Harkin and Jamie McDonagh all got the nod in a midfield diamond with winger, McDonagh deployed in behind Liddle and Figueria.

QPR got off to the perfect start as Clifford gave away possession in City's final third and eventually, midfielder, Eberechi Eze turned Eoin Toal inside the box and fired it past Cherrie to give the Londoners a ninth minute lead.

Derry bounced back after a well worked move on 28 minutes as Liddle worked space on the edge of the QPR box before finding his strike partner, Figueira who allowed the ball to run past him before striking with his right foot into the bottom corner to get the Candy Stripes back on terms.

The celebrations didn't last long, however. In fact just three minutes later QPR's dangerman, Eze found Jordan Hugill, on loan from West Ham United, and the strike made no mistake from 12 yards as he blasted past Cherrie at the near post.

It was nip and tuck in the second half but Derry couldn't find that crucial second goal as the club's tournament ended at the first hurdle.

"Sorry lads maybe next time! " tweeted Liddle afterwards. A brave effort but the Championship club proved too good in the end!