Healy: Extra-time is the Most We Deserve
July 18, 2026 ·
Linfield manager David Healy felt his side deserved extra-time after being knocked out of the UEFA Conference League qualifiers by Nomme Kalju. Despite leading in the second half, they had to accept the bitter reality after conceding in the final minutes.
Healy: Extra-time is the Most We Deserve
According to Sports.
Background
Linfield, led by manager David Healy, must now re-evaluate their strategy after disappointing results in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers. With players like Ethan McGee showing good form before his red card, this squad has the potential to make a comeback in domestic competition. The team's success in facing challenges in Europe will be an important indicator for this season.
Why this is important
Linfield's defeat to Nomme Kalju in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers marked the end of their journey in European competition this season. With a solid performance despite playing with ten men, David Healy's team showed promising potential for this season, although the final result did not meet expectations. This disappointment could affect the squad's motivation and confidence in the upcoming domestic matches.
Main Points
- Healy: Extra-time is the Most We Deserve.
- Linfield manager David Healy felt his team deserved extra-time after being knocked out of UEFA Conference League qualifying by Nomme Kalju.
- Extra-time 'the least we deserved' - Healy - Yahoo Sports.
Linfield manager, David Healy, expressed his disappointment after his team were knocked out of the UEFA Conference League qualifiers by Nomme Kalju. In the match which took place at Windsor Park, Linfield took the lead and fought hard despite playing with ten men after Ethan McGee was sent off for a red card in the first half.
In the second leg match, Linfield looked like they would succeed in taking the match to extra-time when they took a 2-1 lead, which made the aggregate 2-2. However, these hopes were dashed after Mihhail Orlov scored a spectacular goal in injury time, which saw Nomme Kalju progress to the next round with an aggregate of 3-2.
"I always felt it was a missed opportunity when we couldn't get a win here - that's my belief in this squad," Healy told BBC Sport NI. He added that although European matches are very challenging, they cannot avoid difficult situations such as losing a player. Healy paid tribute to his players who fought hard in the second half, saying, "They gave everything, and if we had had a few crucial moments in the final third, we might have got a third goal. Extra-time was the most we deserved tonight, but you don't always get what you want from a game."
Ethan McGee managed to score an early goal to equalize, but had to receive a red card after handballing inside the penalty area. Oleksandr Musolitin, who initially missed the penalty because it was saved by Chris Johns, managed to score from the rebound. Kieran Offord equalized in the second half, but Orlov put the game to bed with a goal.
Healy also noted that Linfield should have avoided a late goal. "We started the game well and got the goal we needed, but we damaged ourselves before the end of the first half with a red card and a penalty. It was disappointing we couldn't clear the ball in the last minute and got punished," he said.
Now, Linfield will continue preparations to start the domestic season in August. However, Healy admitted that it was "unlikely" that many new players would arrive. He said that in financial terms, they might loan one or two players, or even sell one or two players, before seeing what is available to strengthen the team.
What happened next
With Linfield eliminated, their focus now shifts to domestic competitions and preparations for the next match. David Healy is expected to be able to utilize the experience from this match to improve the team's strategy and improve performance in the league. Mihhail Orlov's impressive performance for Nomme Kalju was also a reminder to Linfield of the importance of taking advantage of every opportunity in front of goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the result of the Linfield vs Nomme Kalju match?
Nomme Kalju won 3-2 on aggregate after scoring a goal in injury time.
How will this result impact Linfield's position in the table?
This result resulted in Linfield being eliminated from the UEFA Conference League qualification.
Who scored Linfield's goal in this match?
Ethan McGee scored early for Linfield, and Oleksandr Musolitin scored from a rebound after a saved penalty.
What did David Healy say about this match?
David Healy expressed his disappointment and felt his team deserved extra-time.
What are the next fixtures for Linfield?
Linfield's next fixtures have not been mentioned in this article.