Linfield manager David Healy expressed his frustration after his team suffered a 1-0 defeat against Nomme Kalju in the first leg of their Uefa Conference League first qualifying round tie.

Roko Vukusic scored the only goal of the match in Estonia, capitalizing on a defensive error shortly after the restart.

Despite controlling long periods of the game, Linfield could not find an equalizer before the return leg, which takes place at Windsor Park on 16 July.

“I thought we were well in the game, so there’s a little bit of frustration and the players are disappointed, but I can take huge positives from the performance,” Healy told Linfield media after the match.

“It was the first game in Europe, a difficult team to play against who want to play the game a bit longer, but we were aware of that coming in.

“The boys were prepared and the disappointing thing is we conceded a poor goal from a set-play. We weren’t carved open and one or two chances got away from us.”

Linfield now look to end Nomme Kalju’s four-game unbeaten streak when the Estonian side travels to Belfast.

Should the Blues successfully overturn the deficit, they will advance to the second qualifying round to face Shelbourne, an opponent they encountered twice in European qualifiers last season.

Healy plans to use an upcoming friendly against Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen to ensure his squad is “ready and sharp” for the second leg.

“I’m more than upbeat and the players are positive we are still well in the tie for next week,” Healy said.

“We’ll do what we can and the friendly against Aberdeen, one or two of the starters will be involved on Saturday, some of the bench and some of the younger players.

“Stephen Robinson and Stephen Craigan are good friends and have given us the opportunity to play against them, but then in the back of the mind is getting boys minutes, getting boys ready and sharp, we have to maximise the opportunity.”