Mark Hughes paid tribute to Faroe Island part-timers EB/Streymur as they escaped a 36-shot onslaught from his Manchester City side with a creditable 2-0 defeat.
City eased their way into the UEFA Cup second qualifying round with at Barnsley's Oakwell ground to complete a 4-0 aggregate success.
But Streymur won acclaim from the City following for their defensive defiance as the Barclays Premier League side rained in shots throughout the 90 minutes.
Manager Hughes said: "They defended extremely well. It was damage limitation from them really, but you have to give them praise for their efforts.
"Their goalkeeper had a wonderful night, they threw bodies in the way of everything and made life very difficult for us."
Martin Petrov and Darius Vassell scored the second-half goals that ensured City are in tomorrow's draw for the next round.
Hughes added: "I was pleased with my lads. They kept at them and if their goalkeeper had not had such a great night, we would have won it at a canter.
"But frankly we were never in any danger. We should have won by a fair margin and we should have been quicker in possession but the key is that we have qualified for the next round, that was the objective."
But Streymur won acclaim from the City following for their defensive defiance as the Barclays Premier League side rained in shots throughout the 90 minutes.
Manager Hughes said: "They defended extremely well. It was damage limitation from them really, but you have to give them praise for their efforts.
"Their goalkeeper had a wonderful night, they threw bodies in the way of everything and made life very difficult for us."
Martin Petrov and Darius Vassell scored the second-half goals that ensured City are in tomorrow's draw for the next round.
Hughes added: "I was pleased with my lads. They kept at them and if their goalkeeper had not had such a great night, we would have won it at a canter.
"But frankly we were never in any danger. We should have won by a fair margin and we should have been quicker in possession but the key is that we have qualified for the next round, that was the objective."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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