TNS manager Scott Ruscoe has backed his side to overcome Kosovan champions Feroninkeli in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League first qualifying round next week.
The Oswestry side conceded two late away goals in Tuesday’s first leg to hand the Kosovan side a huge advantage going into next week’s second leg.
“We didn’t mark well enough,” said Ruscoe. “We needed to control possession and take the sting out of the game but instead spent the last 15 minutes worrying they might get an away goal, and they got two.
Ruscoe felt his side were unlucky to concede the second, a penalty awarded after Simon Spender was adjudged to have handled.
“I did not think it was a penalty and did not like the way they constantly went down looking for free-kicks,” said Ruscoe. “They were going down all over the pitch.”
Ruscoe insisted TNS were still in the tie but faced an uphill struggle in the Balkans.
“I’ve got to pick the lads up and in the mindset to go again,” said Ruscoe.
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