SerpApi.Org
LARNE suffered a hefty 4-0 defeat on home soil against Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade in their Champions League second qualifying round first leg.
Gary Haveron’s side saw off Tre Fiori of San Marino in the first round, winning 3-1 across two legs, but failed to hit the net on Tuesday evening. Matthew Lusty, Daniel Bent and Matthew Ridley all scored Larne across the first two games.
The opening goal of the game arrived after 26 minutes when the visiting side slotted home from the penalty spot. Bruno Duarte stepped forward to strike the ball into the back of the net with a right-footed effort.
That gave Dejan Stanković’s team a slim 1-0 advantage when the sides headed to the changing rooms for the half time interval.
It wasn’t long before they were celebrating again when they notched a second goal, this time coming through Vasilije Kostov who slipped the ball home after a nice pass from Osman Bukari.
Striker Duarte got his name on the scoresheet for the second time when he doubled his own individual tally 12 minutes later, this time assisted by Mohamed Abu Fani.
The fourth and final goal of the evening came minutes before the full time whistle sounded, with substitute Muhammed Cham claiming a goal just 12 minutes after being introduced.
Larne are on the road next Tuesday evening as they travel to Stadion Rajko Mitić, Belgrade and will need to overturn a 4-0 deficit to keep their European journey alive.
