The New Saints 0-2 FC København: Skov and Sotiriou leave Saints on verge of elimination
The New Saints are on the verge of elimination from the Champions League after a two-goal defeat to Danish champions FC København.
A goal in either half for the Danes earned them a comprehensive victory in a match that they faced very few challenges.
Pieros Sotiriou who knocked TNS out of the Champions League three years ago with a strike for APOEL struck again against the Welsh Premier League champions.
Rumoured Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers target Robert Skov was also on the scoresheet after scoring a second-half penalty, earned by Sotiriou.
Copenhagen were in firm control throughout the match but failed to provide many chances, as they took the two presented to them.
The New Saints did create some opportunities but found clear-cut chances hard to come by, leaving Grytebust unchallenged.
TNS did start brightly as they attacked from the kick-off. Ryan Brobbel skewered his shot over after Aeron Edwards found him with a delicate ball in the box.
Ryan Brobbel followed up with a shot just a minute later but Sten Grytebust was alert to his shot.
Copenhagen were showing a high pressure and forcing TNS to concede possession.
Ståle Solbakken’s side missed a glorious opportunity to take the lead. Victor Nelsson heading wide from all but two-yards after Carlo Holse’s lofted corner.
Copenhagen’s pressure paid off. Pieros Sotirou squeezed his close-range effort past Paul Harrison after Robert Skov’s delicious low cross.
The visitors were forced into a sub when Rasmus Falk was unable to run off an injury, being replaced by Carlos Zeca.
TNS created two rare opportunities as they sought an equaliser before the break.
A darting run from Danny Redmond saw him float an effort just wide. Wideman Adrian Cieślewicz then cut inside to shoot past the post.
Copenhagen started the second half as they performed in the first but were tending to overplay things.
On the hour mark, goalscorer Pieros Sotiriou earned a penalty for the Danes in his last action after coming off with an injury after a foul from Keston Davies. Robert Skov drove his penalty under the arms of Paul Harrison to create a two-goal gap.
Copenhagen took their foot off the gas following their second and instead controlled possession without any penetration.
In stoppage time, Jamie Mullan fizzed an effort just over as he tried to reduce TNS’ arrears.
The New Saints: Harrison, Spender, Davies, Routledge, Brobbel, Redmond, Cieslewicz (Nembhard 75), Mullan, Ebbe (Draper 56), Edwards, Harrington.
FC København: Grytebust, Bengtsson, Papagiannopoulos, Stage, Sotiriou (Fischer 62), N’Doye (C) (Wind 45), Bartolec, Nelsson, Holse, Skov, Falk (Zeca 34)
(Featured Image: Welsh Premier League)
