BK Hacken stroll to success as TNS eliminated from Champions League
OSWESTRY, ENGLAND - 18 JULY 2023: The New Saints' Leo Smith and BK BK Hackens Valgeir Lunddal Fridriksson during the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round 2nd leg fixture between Cymru premier’s The New Saints FC & Swedens BK Häcken at Park Hall Stadium, Oswestry, England (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
BK Hacken ensured that they made it through to the UEFA Champions League Second Qualifying Round, after beating The New Saints across two legs of football which ended 5-1 on aggregate.
In a 2-0 scoreline on the night to the visitors, the Swedish side found the opener in the 19th minute of the game. Ibrahim Sadiq struck towards goal on the volley and found the bottom right corner.
The New Saints were much improved in the second half and kept possession of the ball, something they struggled to do in the first half.
Josh Pask went close after good work by Ben Clark. Pask latched onto the end of a ball by Clark and drifted into the area, but could not fire his shot on target.
Ashley Baker, who came on as a second-half substitute, came close on two occasions but could not find the back of the net.
BK Hacken added to the scoring late on. Momodou Sonko fired home from close ranged in the area to see Hacken into a 5-1 lead.
Full-back Daniel Davies also came close for TNS in the game, but a good save by Hacken goalkeeper Peter Abrahamsson ensured the Allsvenskan champions went home with the clean sheet, whilst also taking another step in their first ever UCL campaign.
Reaction:
BK Hacken boss, Per-Mathias Høgmo told Pel-Droed: “We controlled the game really well. We didn’t give away any chances in the first half.
“In the second half when The (New) Saints went for it, and they had a couple of chances, they gave it a good try, but I think we controlled it in a professional way.
“We had to be sharp to go through, and the way we managed to do it was good.”
TNS boss Craig Harrison also spoke to the press, and was visibly disappointed with the outcome of the tie: “We’re disappointed because we go beat. We’re not in the habit of getting beat.
“It’s very disappointing. Second half we had three great chances where at this level you’ve got to take at least two of them.
“We knew it was a uphill battle, but that’s the level of football we’re playing. You get punished if it’s the slightest mistake.”
TNS: Roberts; Pask, Astles, Marriot, Davies; Smith, Routledge, Clark; Daniels, Brobbel, Williams. (4-3-3)
Yellow Cards: Jordan Williams 24, Danny Davies 45+5′
BK Hacken: Abrahamsson; Lund, Hovland, Tebo Uchenna, Fridriksson; Gustafson (C), Gustafson, Rygaard; Sana, Trpcevski, Sadiq. (4-3-3)
Goals: Ibrahim Sadiq 19′, Momodou Sonko 90+1
