Almost 15 minutes into the second half and as yet neither keeper has been forced into a save.

Remember, Glentoran need to score at least twice to force extra-time.

CSKA Sofia show their quality as they cut through the Derry City defence as Ioannis Pittas, who scored twice last week, cuts past his marker in the box and drills a low shot towards goal, which Brian Maher does well to block with his legs.

Ross Clarke is off for Glentoran and on comes Jordan Jenkins. A more direct threat.

What a chance for Derry City to level the tie as Kevin dos Santos leaves several defenders in his wake as he hares down the left wing before whipping a great ball into the box which the sliding Adam O'Reilly just fails to convert in front of goal.

That has certainly raised the temperature here even further!

Quite even start to the second period in Riga. Glentoran trying to get closer to the RFS players and it looks like it is making them a little more unconfortable in possession.

Derry City have responded well to CSKA's early forays forward as Michael Duffy's first corner of the game has Dimitar Evitmov flailing in the penalty before his defence mops up the loose ball.

Glentoran immediately seem to be pressing higher up the pitch. Presumably to offer greater support to Pat Hoban who looked isolated in the first period.

No changes for either side at the break as Declan Devine looks to more tactical changes at this stage rather than changing personnel.

All to do for Declan Devine's side at LNK Sporta Parks, Riga.

The hosts get things going here once more in the second period.

Early chance for CSKA Sofia as Petko Panayotov latches onto a loose ball on the edge of the Derry City box, but his snapshot flies over Brian Maher's goal.

We are under way at very noisy Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium as the visitors get the ball rolling.

Derry City boss Tiernan Lynch said it is still "all to play for" after his side were narrowly defeated 3-2 by CSKA Sofia at the Natsionalen Stadion Vasil Levski in Sofia in the Europa League first qualifying round tie.

Ioannis Pittas opened the scoring in fabulous style before Liam Boyce equalised for Derry.

It was Bruno Jardao who grabbed the Bulgarian side's second with a superb strike from outside the box before a second goal from Pittas.

It wasn't over yet though as James Olayinka grabbed a second for Derry City to give their boss a bit of hope.

''I thought second half we were much better. I'm very disappointed in the goals we conceded, but I thought we got stronger as the game went on and it's still probably all to play for,'' said Lynch.

''They are a good side, they have good footballers and they keep the ball well. As the game went on, we were delighted. I thought we got stronger.''

Image source, Getty Images

Larne boss Gary Haveron said their Champions League second qualifying round tie against Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade will be a "free hit" for his side.

The Inver Reds progressed to the second qualifying round for the first time courtesy of a 3-1 aggregate win over San Marino side Tre Fiori and will now welcome Red Star, who played in the league phase of the Champions League as recently as the 2024-25 campaign, to Larne for the first leg on Tuesday, 21 July.

"I’m beyond proud we can bring a club like that to these shores, to Northern Ireland and we can showcase what we’re about. It's a huge draw, they're a historical and massive football club," Haveron told BBC Sport NI.

"It's seen as a free hit for us because people won't expect too much, we'll go and try be as competitive as we possibly can.

"We'll pay them the respect but we'll try impose ourselves on the game and see what we can do. We're maybe not shoulder to shoulder with them but while we're on the pitch we'll try our best to get a result."

Read the full article here.

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Derry City have to overcome a one-goal deficit in the second leg of their Europa League first qualifying round tie after CSKA Sofia were 3-2 victors against the Candystripes in Sofia.

Ioannis Pittas broke the deadlock in style before Liam Boyce fired Derry level in the 31st minute.

Bruno Jordao restored CSKA Sofia's advantage on 53 minutes before Pittas continued his fine form and netted the home side's third.

The Candystripes kept pushing until the final whistle with James Olayinka narrowing the gap with one minute to go.

Tiernan Lynch's side will now host the Bulgarian outfit at the Brandywell on 16 July.

Read the full report from the first leg here.

Image source, Inpho

Derry City know the scale of the task awaiting them as they welcome CSKA Sofia to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium for the second leg of their Europa League first qualifying round tie.

James Olayinka's late header in Bulgaria changed the dynamic for the Candystripes ahead of this evening's return fixtures after Ioannis Pittas' double and a screamer from captain Jordao had seemingly put the Bulgarians in control despite Liam Boyce's first half goal at the Natsionalen Stadion Vasil Levski.

Tiernan Lynch's side will be hoping they can get the two-goal win they need to progress in front large home support, but their recent form at the Brandywell has been less than impressive with only three wins from their previous nine games.

Recruitments have been brought in during the summer window with Ellis Chapman, Christy Grogan and Nick Twisk all making their debuts in last week's narrow defeat in Sofia, however latest signing Darragh Burns is ineligible for this game following his switch from Grimsby Town.

Tiernan Lynch makes three changes to the side which suffered defeat in that first leg with Brandon Fleming, Adam O'Reilly and Kevin dos Santos coming in for Rob Slevin, Cameron Dummigan and LIam Boyce, who scored the opener for the Candystripes last week.

The visitors make one change with Dimitar Evitmov replacing Fedor Lapoukhov in goal.

Derry City: Maher, Barr, Grogan, P McClean, Fleming, O'Reilly, Olayinka, Chapman, Cotter, Duffy, dos Santos

Subs: Norcott, Callister, Stott, Slevin, Clarke, J McClean, Doherty, Dummigan, Twisk, Kelly.

CSKA Sofia: Evtimov, Rodigues, Panayotov, T Ivanov, Martino, Sensi, Jordao, Solet, Pastor, Gordoy, Pittas.

Subs: Nikolov, Ouorov, Gbamin, Zwarts, Brahimi, Yordanov, Kaymakanov, Leo Pereira, Piedrhita, Chorbadzhiyski, Tunchev, Eto'o

Declan Devine has some big words to say at the break no doubt as RFS made it 3-1 on aggregate.

Changes are almost inevitable. Huge 45 minutes to come.

Glentoran almost grab a goal before the break. Smart work by Jordan Stewart down the left before crossing well, but no Glens player can get on the end of it.

Three minutes of stoppage time to be played at the end of the first half.

Foul on Rostand Ndjiki close to the bye-line and RFS have a free kick in a dangerous area.

However, they clear away after Marcus Kane is fouled.