MX23RW : Thursday, December 19 07:46:11| >> :600:445510:445510:
[monks data]
Aberdeen logo
Europa League | First Qualifying Round
Aug 27, 2020 at 7.45pm UK
Pittodrie Stadium

Aberdeen
6 - 0
NSI Runavik

Ferguson (37'), Main (43'), Hedges (50', 59', 87' pen.), Hayes (63')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Troest Davidsen (34'), Hojgaard (88')

Derek McInnes delighted with Aberdeen "intensity" in Europa League success

The Dons triumphed 6-0 over NSI Runavik on Thursday.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes was understandably delighted with his side's performance after they kicked off their Europa League qualifying campaign with a 6-0 win over Faroese side NSI Runavik.

Lewis Ferguson's header and a tap-in from from Curtis Main had the home side on easy street by half-time, but it was substitute Ryan Hedges who became the star of the show, netting a second-half hat-trick punctuated by a screamer from Jonny Hayes.

And McInnes could not hide his pleasure, commenting: "It's a pleasing night's work any time you rack up that amount of goals and a clean sheet.

"I think what pleased me most was the intensity of the game. Runavik are 18 games into their season, and we had to play the game we play in Scottish football. We couldn't let them get comfortable and play their own game.

"This was the kind of game we needed. It reminded the players that they're good players, Ryan coming on and getting a hat-trick, he's away feeling good about himself as well.

"When I watched Runavik, I wanted to make sure we made them defend their box and having a physical striker in Main to play alongside Marley (Watkins) was something I was keen on. He's a good bit behind in terms of fitness and it was good he got the goal before he came off.

"We'd prefer a home game in the next round as the travelling can take it out of you when you have a game the following Sunday. The rigmarole the travelling can cause means we're looking for a home tie."

The Dons tackle Hibernian on Sunday but face a Scottish Football Association disciplinary hearing on Friday which could see the 'Aberdeen Eight' punished by the governing body for their coronavirus guideline breach, and McInnes has no idea what to expect.

"The players have been through a lot, they've been heavily fined. If people want to keep punishing them we'll deal with it," he added.

ID:411917: cacheID:411917:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3139:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes pictured in April 2019
Read Next:
Derek McInnes eyes group stage of Europa League
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio651016
2Athletic Bilbao651016
3Anderlecht642014
4Lyon641113
5Frankfurt641113
6Galatasaray633012
7Man Utd633012
8Rangers632111
9Spurs632111
10FCSB632111
11Real Sociedad631210
12Ajax631210
13Bodo/Glimt631210
14Roma62319
15Olympiacos62319
16Ferencvaros63039
17Plzen62319
18AZ62228
19Fenerbahce62228
20Porto62228
21Union SG62228
22Braga62137
23Elfsborg62137
24PAOK62137
25Midtjylland62137
26M. Tel Aviv62046
27Hoffenheim61326
28Besiktas62046
29Slavia Prague61144
30FC Twente60424
31Malmo61144
32Ludogorets60333
33Qarabag61053
34RFS60242
35Nice60242
36Dynamo Kiev60060


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!