Goals and Highlights: Aberdeen 5-0 Chikhura, 2019-20 Europa League Qualifier (Agg: 6-1)

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Whilst Aberdeen prepare for the beginning of their SPFL campaign and a trip to Croatia in the next Europa League qualifying round, Chikhura have a bit of a journey home...

Two flights on the way here saw them rack up over 6,000 air miles. 

The beauty of the Europa League...

A fact to leave you with... Sam Cosgrove is just the fourth Aberdeen player to net a European hat-trick.

Particularly impressive considering the Dons won the Cup Winners' Cup and UEFA Super Cup in 1983.

Bar 15-20 minutes at the end of the first half, that was impressive from Aberdeen.

Ferguson and Cosgrove were sensational.

The hat-trick hero is replaced by Bruce Anderson.

Let's remember, he failed to score for Wigan, Barrow, Chorley and North Ferriby United in a combined total of 21 games.

In fact, he scored just one goal (for Carlisle) in 39 games before last season.

80' It's now six in four for Cosgrove as he completes his hat-trick and maybe confirms the Man of the Match Award.

We have seen some goals tonight and this is another great one with the outside of the boot.

• Four assists for Ferguson
• Two goals for Cosgrove
• Debut strike for Leigh
• Impressive holding role from Ojo
• Added dynamic from Gallagher
• Pace and flair from Wright

74' Gallagher heads over from another Aberdeen corner with Chikhura all over the place.

Yes, this isn't the toughest opposition but Aberdeen fans have got to be impressed by the way their side have played in large chunks of this contest.

All for Lewis Ferguson! What an individual performance.

Dean Campbell replaces Greg Leigh.

65' Inspired by Derek McInnes.

Just moments after entering the action, Scott Wright flicks home a great pass from Ferguson to send Aberdeen four goals ahead.

The striker is hunting more Europa League goals but he cannot direct his header past Hamzic.

McGinn is then rested ahead of Sunday's SPL opener against Hearts. Scott Wright on.

57' We have just praised the performance of Ojo after arriving from Scunthorpe and now two more new faces have combined to send Aberdeen through.

More tireless work from Jon Gallagher, on loan from Atlanta United, forces a corner before Ferguson picks out Greg Leigh to score on his debut.

The left-back, another loanee, has scored in every season of his professional career.

Pittodrie's new defensive midfielder has been particularly impressive tonight, allowing those in front of him to express themselves with confidence.

A double substitution. Chikhura don't have much of a history (just two trophies in the cabinet) and they need to do something quickly if they are going to add a Bursaspor-type story to their repertoire tonight.

...then the plans for Croatia and a trip to HNK Rijeka can commence.

49' Hamzic is the most erratic goalkeeper but has a bit of quality about him. 

Not for the first time tonight he drops a dangerous cross but he made up for it by reacting quickly to keep out Jon Gallagher.

Another Aberdeen goal and the tie is over...

The response to that opening Aberdeen salvo in the first half has been positive on social media. However, there are still concerns about how often the Dons sit back before the break.

46' Cosgrove almost beats Hamzic from an improbable angle but is thwarted by the smart reactions of the Bosnian.

Another flying start for the hosts? Let's hope so.

That first half arguably summed up Aberdeen's SPL campaign last season where they just could not put together enough consistency throughout the year.

The Dons finished fourth in the Scottish top flight but should certainly be aiming for third this year, even if Celtic and Rangers are a class above the rest.

If they can maintain the quality they showed in the opening 25 minutes on a regular basis, they should close the gap on the top two.

Chikhura stemmed the tide in the last ten minutes of the first half but the damage looks to have been done already.

Aberdeen played with such intensity in the opening 25 minutes to romp into a 2-0 lead, 3-1 on aggregate.

Chikhura finally growing into the game but they are showing no real threat despite an extended spell of possession.

The attacking onslaught continues with the Georgians penned in.

24' Cosgrove fires high and wide in search of a third.

22' Can anyone stop Cosgrove in this competition? A bullet diving header gives the Scots a nice cushion and just reward for a high tempo start.

18' McGinn also looks a handful, forcing another save from Hamzic after cutting in from the flank.

Sam Cosgrove continues his record of scoring in every Europa League qualifier for Aberdeen this season.

13' Ferguson is proving the key threat for Aberdeen, playing a supporting role in the goal and showcasing his skills in the ten minute previous.

He produces a nervy moment for goalkeeper Hamzic who appeared to haul the midfielder down in the penalty area.

9' The work in the wide areas pays off as Ryan Hedges is released by Lewis Ferguson before finding Sam Cosgrove in the penalty area who finished the move off with a deflected strike into the corner.

7' Aberdeen looking a particular threat down the flanks.

2' We suggested this could be a match to remember and it has started that way. Aberdeen captain Joe Lewis is forced into an early save before Niall McGinn is thwarted by a block after a fast opening from both sides.

Could this be a classic?

Don’t expect this to be a walkover for the Scots. If Chikhura’s home performance wasn’t enough, they also have experience of beating good opposition in the form of Bursaspor at this stage of the competition, albeit five years ago.

Bosnian goalkeeper Dino Hamzic is the only Chikhura player not from Georgia.

Hamzic, Koripadze, Maisashvili, Mamasakhlisi, Chikvaidze, Chitishvili, Kashia, Sardalishvili, Lekvtadze, Ergemlidze, Dekanoidze

Late replacement as Chris Lincoln takes over with the live updates from kick-off. Thanks to Alan for previewing this intriguing encounter. 

Aberdeen went very close to reaching the third and final qualifying round last season, only edged out by Burnley after extra-time.

The tie was brimming with entertainment as Aberdeen held their own despite being huge underdogs. They eventually lost 4-2 on aggregate but will hope for a reverse of that result this evening. 

Chikhura Sachkhere and Aberdeen drew in their last match against one another, as a draw has just an 18.2% chance of occurring again in this qualifying match. 

Aberdeen start their summers signings in Greg Leigh, Funso Ojo, Ryan Hedges and Jon Gallagher.

Subs: Cerny, Bryson, Wilson, Wright, May, Campbell, Anderson

Aberdeen starting line-up: Lewis, Logan, Leigh, Considine, McKenna, McGinn, Hedges, Ferguson, Gallagher, Ojo, Cosgrove.

Do not miss a detail of the match with the live updates and commentaries of VAVEL. Follow along with us all the details, commentaries, analysis and lineups for this Aberdeen vs Chikhura Sachkere match.

One good play or defensive miscommunication can end in a goal for the Georgians that can change the tie upside down. For that reason, Aberdeen will be hoping for an early goal to settle the nerves and a repeat of the home performance of the first 80 minutes of the previous round.

The central referee for this match will be Slovak Rade Obrenovic.

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“We are not afraid of the fact that the Aberdeen stadium will be full. On the contrary, the full stadium and the football atmosphere will give us greater inspiration and motivation to do as much as possible and get to the next level.”

An early-season defensive crisis has done little to help their cause. With new left-back Greg Leigh injured in pre-season, the Dons have also lost centre-backs Ash Taylor and Michael Devlin to knocks. While veteran Andrew Considine can provide more than adequate cover to partner Scott McKenna, it may also mean Jon Gallagher moving to right-back.

Aberdeen’s 1-1 draw in the Georgian capital puts the Scottish squad as today’s favourites to make it past this stage. However, it is evident that they will have to improve on last week’s performance to ensure qualification for the next round

Last Thursday, the Dons returned from Georgia with an away goal advantage, after not the most brilliant football display.

Today’s match represents the definitive clash for Aberdeen to secure a spot into the next UEFA Europa League qualifying round.

The Aberdeen vs Chikhura Sachkere game will be played at the Pittodrie Stadium in Aberdeen, Scotland. The kickoff is scheduled at 19:45 BST.

Welcome to VAVEL.com’s LIVE coverage of the 2019 UEFA Europa League Qualifying game: Aberdeen vs Chikhura Sachkere!

My name is Alan Nunez and I’ll be your host for this game. We will provide you with pre-game analysis, roster updates, and news as it happens live here on VAVEL.