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Ten-man Aberdeen crash out of Europa League

Ten-man Aberdeen crashed out of Europa League at the third qualifying round for the fifth time in six years after being comfortably beaten by Croatian side HNK Rijeka, who won both legs of the tie 2-0.

Stjepan Loncar put the visitors ahead to end a swift counter after just 10 minutes and Antonio Colak made it two just after the half hour.

Ojo had already gone into the book when Maxwell Acosty’s strong run down the right created the opening goal. His cross found Loncar, who turned the ball past Joe Lewis at the near post.

That knocked the stuffing out of Aberdeen, and Ojo’s second booking after just 20 minutes saw them reduced to 10 men and there was no way back.

There were encouraging signs for the Dons – Lewis Ferguson embarked on a weaving run from midfield before eventually losing his footing just before the half hour, but goalkeeper Andrej Prskalo remained untested.

Things did not get much better after the break. With Niall McGinn already withdrawn in the wake of Ojo’s red card, Cosgrove lasted just eight minutes of the second period before being replaced by Curtis Main.

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