Caernarfon bow out after 11-0 defeat as TNS set for huge Europa League clash: European football roundup
BANGOR, GWYNEDD, WALES - 1st AUGUST 2024 - Caernarfon's Paulo Mendes and Legia's Bartosz Kaputska during Caernarfon Town FC vs Legia Warszawa in the UEFA Europa Conference League Second qualifying round second leg at Nantporth Stadium, Bangor (Pic by Sam Eaden/FAW)
It was another difficult week of European football for the Cymru Premier club as Caernarfon Town were knocked out of European competition after a heavy defeat against Legia Warsaw.
The New Saints dropped to The Europa League following their defeat against Ferencvaros saw them knocked out of Champions League qualifying.
With two defeats there has been no further points added to the nations coefficient rankings with Wales remaining in 51st place.
However North Macedonia who currently sit a place above Wales in the rankings became the first nation to see all their clubs knocked out of European competitions this season.
With TNS still having a minimum of four fixtures remaining in Europe, this gives Wales a great chance to finish in the top 50 rankings and regain a European spot for the 2025/26 season.
After a 5-0 defeat against Ferencvaros in Hungary last week TNS hosted the Nemzeti Bajnokság I champions at Park Hall aiming to gain much needed coefficient points.
Despite their best efforts it proved too difficult as the away side took a 2-0 lead following goals from Kristoffer Zachariassen and Phillippe Rommens.
Full-back Josh Daniels got a consolation goal for the hosts in second half added time but it wasn’t enough as Craig Harrison’s men suffered back to back defeats in Europe with a 2-1 loss.
Speaking to BBC Sport Shropshire after the game Harrison stated his anger at the Hungarians opening goal that he believed was offside denying them a draw on the night.
“They’ve scored a dubious offside goal, which is offside. I can’t explain how angry I am because it was offside.”
The Cymru Premier champions will now enter the third qualifying round of The Europa League with a tie against Moldovan champions FC Petrocub Hîncești.
“We’ve had a look and I’ve watched their last three games. We’ve prepared the best we could, if we turn up and play like we have tonight and we have done against Decic we’re gonna give them a really good game. said Harrison on the fixture.
If TNS do win the fixture they will be guaranteed a spot in the league stage of The Europa Conference League and will become the first Welsh side to reach the stage of European football.
“It’s the first opportunity for us to try and be the first Welsh club to make the group stages of European football, we’ll do all our due diligence and we’ll give everything we have and be prepared and ready for going out to Moldova next week. added Harrison.
Failure to qualify against FC Petrocub would still leave TNS with an opportunity to qualify for The Europa Conference league as they would face a final qualifying round fixture.
Caernarfon suffer record equalling loss in Europa Conference League
Caernarfon suffered a record equalling 11-0 aggregate loss against Polish giants Legia Warsaw following a 5-0 home defeat in the second leg at Nantporth.
The result sees The Cofis knocked out of European football for this campaign with them now looking to focus on the upcoming league campaign and fight for another shot at Europe next season.
Despite a ban on away fans attending the fixture a large group of Legia Warsaw fans witnessed their side book a place in the next round with an overlooking view from outside of the ground.
