European football roundup: TNS hold strong, Caernarfon penalty heroics & heartbreak for Bala and Nomads

In what was a mixed week for Cymru Premier sides in Europe, TNS and Caernarfon Town booked their place in the second qualifying rounds of European football as Bala Town and Connah’s Quay Nomads fell agonisingly short with heartbreaking late goals.

The results helped Wales gain further coefficient points with them now sitting at 1.000 following the first qualifying round fixtures. The added points could make a huge difference in helping the division regain a European spot that has been lost for the upcoming season.

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TNS secured their place in the second qualifying round of The Champions League following a 1-1 draw away to FK Dečić.

A first half penalty from Brad Youngs put the Welsh side 4-0 up on aggregate before Asmir Kejavic scored a consolation goal for the hosts midway through the second half.

Speaking after the final whistle TNS manager Craig Harrison said: “I’m massively massively proud, I am quite emotional, football it’s an emotive sport.”

Especially when we come away from home, it was tough tonight the lads dug in and the heat is 30 odd degrees when we were kicking off, we’ve defended really well. It’s not often I’m lost for words but I’m really struggling at this moment because I’m quite emotional really.”

They now face a trip to Hungarian champions Ferencváros who qualified for The Europa Conference League group stages last season, finishing second in their group before defeat in the knockout round play-off to eventual winners Olympiacos.

Their squad also includes three players who were recently involved in Hungary’s Euro 2024 squad, one of which was the league top goalscorer in their title winning campaign Barnabás Varga.

TNS have now guaranteed at least six more European football fixtures this season and will at worst case have a play-off fixture for a place in the league stage of The Europa Conference League.

Caernarfon Town become fifth Welsh team to win penalty shootout in European football

It was a dramatic night for Caernarfon as they sealed their place in the second qualifying round of The Europa Conference League with a 8-7 penalty shootout win against Crusaders. They became the fifth Welsh side to win a European tie via penalty shootout.

It looked like The Cofis were going to cruise through the fixture after Paulo Mendes gave them a 3-0 aggregate lead with his first half goal, putting them in a strong position going into half time.

However a fightback from the Northern Irish outfit saw them hit three goals in 27 second half minutes to draw the tie level 3-3 on aggregate. After a nervy end in the remaining minutes and 30 minutes of extra time it was penalties that would decide both clubs fate.

Marc Williams was the hero for Richard Davies’ side as he fired home the penalty to send the North Wales club through to the next round.

They now face a trip to Poland to face Legia Warsaw who reached the knockout round play-off of The Europa Conference League last season.

It is likely that no fans of the Polish side will be in attendance for either fixture due to their club being banned from selling tickets to fans for five European fixtures. UEFA also stated back in May that Warsaw will play their next home fixture behind closed doors, which means no Caernarfon fans can attend the away tie.

It was heartbreak for Bala Town as they suffered a 3-2 aggregate defeat against Paide Linnameeskond after a last minute goal in second half extra time denied them a penalty shootout.

Defender Nathan Peate had drawn The Lakesides level with a header after 12 minutes before he was shown a second red card in second half extra time leaving his side to play the final minutes with 10 men

Colin Caton’s side became the first Welsh side to be knocked out of European football this season and will now focus on the upcoming league campaign with the aim of securing another shot at European football next season.

A late goal in second half extra time also sealed the fate of Connah’s Quay Nomads as they suffered a 2-1 defeat against NK Bravo. The Nomads will feel hard done by as the winning goal appeared to come from a harsh free-kick given against them.

Despite holding onto their lead from the first leg for the majority of the tie, NK Bravo forced extra time with an 88th minute equaliser, before the winning goal from Nemanja Poplatnik in the 115th minute.

Speaking after the final whistle, Nomads manager Neil Gibson said: “I’m immensely proud of the players in terms of the effort they gave, I felt we deserved probably a little bit more than what we got tonight.

Obviously they’re a full time team, their squad depth being full-time probably told a little bit. Unfortunately the luck didn’t go on our side today.”

(Featured Image: John Smith/FAW)