Coleraine's European campaign is hanging by a thread after a chastening night in Helsinki, where they were well beaten by HJK, according to BBC News.
The Northern Irish side travelled to Finland with continental ambitions but leave with little more than a heavy scoreline and a growing injury list, as their qualifying tie now looks all but decided after just one leg. BBC News reports that the defeat has proven costly "in more ways than one," suggesting Coleraine picked up fresh fitness concerns on top of the footballing blow.
With HJK holding a commanding advantage heading into the return fixture, Coleraine face an uphill task to salvage any hope of progression. Barring a remarkable turnaround, their run in this season's European competition appears set to end at the very first hurdle — a familiar and frustrating pattern for Irish League clubs venturing into continental football.
Full details of the return leg and Coleraine's response are expected in the coming days.