Connah’s Quay 0-2 KA Akureyri: Nomads head out of UEFA Europa Conference League
Oswestry, England 20 July 2023. UEFA Europa Conference League First qualifying round second leg match between Connah's Quay Nomads and KA.
Connah’s Quay Nomads were the next Cymru Premier side to exit Europe after KA Akureyri defeated the Nomads over two legs.
Neil Gibson’s side already had an uphill task of progressing after losing 2-0 in the first leg and they lost by the same scoreline at Park Hall. Daniel Hafsteinsson scored in the first half and then Elfar Adalsteinsson added a second in the last quarter of the game.
Akureyri progress from a European tie for the first time in their history after a 20-year absence on the continental stage. As for the Nomads, it is the second consecutive campaign they’ve failed to progress from the first qualifying round.
KA took the lead inside the first 20 minutes of the game after a corner was fired into the area, which after being flicked on found Daniel Hafsteinsson at the back post, who tapped home to put the visitors ahead.
The Nomads were looking to find a way back into the game but could not find the back of the net in the first half. Harry Franklin fired over the bar, before Connah’s Quay appealed for a penalty after Jack Kenny hit the deck. The Nomads forward attempted to force his way through two Akureyri defenders, but after falling to the ground had his penalty claim ignored by referee Gustavo Correia.
Connah’s Quay continued to apply pressure to the KA backline in the second half, but could not find a goal for their efforts.
The Icelandic side punished them for it when substitute Elfar Adalsteinsson fired home from a ball coming in from the right, meaning KA progress into the Second Qualifying Round of the UEFA Europa Conference League.
As for Connah’s Quay, they exit Europe and will look ahead to their upcoming Cymru Premier campaign in August.
