by Richard Early
Date: Thursday 9 August, 2018
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium
THE New Saints fell to a 0-2 defeat against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League Third Qualifying Round First Leg in the Welsh capital.
The visitors got off to a swift start at Cardiff City Stadium, opening the scoring after nine minutes through Paul Onuachu. Kian Hansen whipped in a corner from the left and the towering forward bolted a header home.
One minute later, TNS almost responded through Dean Ebbe. Aeron Edwards delivered a cross from the left flank and the Irishman’s diving header drifted astray of the right post.
The Danes looked keen to double their lead and crafted an opportunity after 19 minutes. Mikkel Duelund paced down the right wing before cutting back to Gustav Wikheim. From inside the box, the 25-year-old’s weak effort was cleared by Blaine Hudson.
However, the Welsh Champions had other ideas and hunted for an equaliser, coming close four minutes later. From the area’s centre, Ebbe chipped on for Jamie Mullan and the 30-year-old’s shot from a narrow angle was tipped away by Jesper Hansen.
Two minutes later, Scott Ruscoe’s side had a superb opportunity to level the scoring. Daniel Redmond’s low delivery from the left wing eventually found its way to Mullan. The winger had clear sight of goal but a poor strike dribbled into the goalkeeper’s arms.
TNS were again punished for their wasted opportunities after 27 minutes. Bubacarr Sanneh flicked the ball from the left of the six-yard box towards Onuachu, who headed home his and FC Midtjylland’s second.
After the interval, it took the Wolves nine minutes to come close to a third. Onuachu eyed a hattrick and headed into Harrison’s arms from close range.
The second period was a lot quieter than the first as both sides sat back and no clear-cut opportunities arose for the remainder.
The Second Leg will be played at MCH Arena on Thursday, 16th August.
The New Saints have a great team spirit and it is likely that they will give their all in Denmark. That squad belief was highlighted in the Shropshire-based side’s 4-0 Champions League First Qualifying Round Second Leg win over Shkendija after a 5-0 defeat in the First Leg.
The New Saints: Harrison, Spender, Marriott, Holland (Byrne 79’), Cabango, Routledge, Redmond (Nembhard 84’), Hudson, Mullan, Ebbe (Cieślewicz 69’), Edward. Subs not used: Roberts, Seargeant, Draper, Clark.
FC Midtjylland: J. Hansen, K. Hansen, Dal Hende (Andersson 61’), Poulsen, Munksgaard, Nicolaisen, Duelund, Sanneh, Onuachu (George 78’), Mabil (Okosun 61’), Wikheim. Subs not used: Ottesen, Sparv, Korcsmar, Ogochukwu.
[All images by Matthew Lofthouse]
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