Linfield 'conceded a poor goal' against Kalju - Healy

Linfield manager David Healy said “there is a little bit of frustration” after his side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat by Nomme Kalju in the Uefa Conference League first qualifying round first leg.

Roko Vukusic took advantage of some poor defending after the restart and netted the only goal of the game in Estonia.

Despite dominating large spells of the game, Linfield failed to find a goal ahead of the second leg at Windsor Park on 16 July.

“I thought we were well in the game, so there’s a little bit of frustration and the players are disappointed, but I can take huge positives from the performance,” Healy told Linfield media after the match.

“It was the first game in Europe, a difficult team to play against who want to play the game a bit longer, but we were aware of that coming in.

“The boys were prepared and the disappointing thing is we conceded a poor goal from a set-play. We weren’t carved open and one or two chances got away from us.”

Linfield will aim to end Kalju’s four game unbeaten run when they welcome the side to Belfast.

If the Blues can turn this tie around, they will face Shelbourne in the second qualifying round, who they met twice in European qualifiers last campaign.

Healy added that he is aiming to use the upcoming friendly against Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen as a chance to get his side “ready and sharp” for the second leg.

“I’m more than upbeat and the players are positive we are still well in the tie for next week,” Healy continued.

“We’ll do what we can and the friendly against Aberdeen, one or two of the starters will be involved on Saturday, some of the bench and some of the younger players.

“Stephen Robinson and Stephen Craigan are good friends and have given us the opportunity to play against them, but then in the back of the mind is getting boys minutes, getting boys ready and sharp, we have to maximise the opportunity.”