Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has challenged his players to match their second-half display in Almaty last night if they are to defeat Kazakstan side Kaiarat at Pittodrie on Thursday.
The Dons were second best for much of the early stages and goals from Mikhail Bakaev and a stunning long-range second from Bauryrzhan Islamkhan put the home side in control with less than a quarter of the match played.
The Dons dug deep and eventually reduced the deficit through substitute midfielder Kenny McLean’s powerful close-range finish in the 69th minute.
McInnes told his players at the interval if they could win the second half they could win the tie and he said: “Kairat are favouritess to go through but we know with the away goal one goal will be enough.
“We will have 20,000 supporters ready for the game and we will do all we can. I told the players if we won the second half of this match we would win the tie and I believe that is the case.”
McInnes was frustrated by his side’s start to the match as Kairat threatened to swamp them.
He added: “It was similar to the Rijeka game in Croatia in the last round, we did not start with enough positive play, we were not brave enough on the ball.
“We got punished by two bits of quality, the second goal in particular was from almost 40 yards, it was a heck of a strike.
“We were too deep as a team in the first 20 minutes and they were confident. We showed good composure and a good mentality towards the interval and in the second half. I think everybody saw the Aberdeen team I wanted them to see.
“We said before the game about the importance of the away goal and in every European tie we have got through we have scored. In we play for 90 minutes at Pittodrie as we did then I think we have a good chance.
“The players wish the game could come tomorrow.
“We had to be better in the opening period and a bit braver and hopefully we can impose ourselves on proceedings next week.”
McLean’s goal was his second in away Europa League matches and the manager added: “We tried to be positive with our substitutions to give ourselves a chance to get a goal back. Kenny McLean was rewarded for his bravery and confidence in getting into the box.nny had done well for us and has scored two goals in the Europa League.
“There was too much said that he had not settled. He had.”