Connah’s Quay Nomads’ maiden appearance in the Champions League ended in a valiant defeat as Bosnian champions FK Sarajevo ran out 2-0 winners at a damp Cardiff City Stadium.
A goal in each half from forward Benjamin Tatar underlined the difference in class between the two sides in this First Qualifying Round tie.
The Nomads now drop into the Europa League second qualifying round as a result of their elimination, while Sarajevo progress to the next round where they will play Belarusian champions Dinamo Brest.
Sarajevo started the game on the front foot and controlled possession early on.
Despite sitting off their opponents, it was the Welsh champions who had the game’s first real opportunity.
Priestley Farquharson gets stuck in for the Nomads. (Photo: Will Cheshire)
Nomads’ key chance in the first-half was a header from Michael Wilde, which glanced just past the left post.
A free-kick was played down the line for Craig Curran to pull the ball across goal but Wilde’s header went to the opposite direction it was intended.
Sarajevo’s first effort on the Nomads goal was a tame shot from outside the box by Ivan Jukić.
A second chance followed up from Tatar, who blazed a free-kick over the bar after Pristley Farquharson had fouled Amar Rahmanović.
Moments later, Tatar had another opportunity and this time he made no mistake.
George Horan lead from the front as he captained the Nomads. (Photo: Will Cheshire)
The Sarajevo forward beat the offside trap and rounded the onrushing Nomads goalkeeper, Lewis Brass, to score the opening goal of the night.
A common theme throughout the first-half was play-acting from the visitors, with Džan Salčin playing the pantomime villain against the Nomads.
The gamesmanship frustrated Nomads boss Andy Morrison to such an extent that he was booked for voicing his displeasure at the tactics.
Declan Poole surges forward for the Nomads. (Photo: Will Cheshire)
The Nomads began the second-half with a real attacking impetus as they looked for an equaliser, putting the Bosnian champions under pressure for a prolonged spell.
They were made to rue not making more of their period of pressure as Sarajevo hit them with a sucker punch, courtesy of Tatar.
The 26-year-old, who averages nearly a goal every two games for the Maroon-Whites, added a second to his tally as he pounced on a defensive error to burst through the middle and squeeze the ball past the onrushing Brass.
A minute before full-time, Haris Handžić wasted a glorious chance to further their lead, as he dragged his shot wide rather than passing to Krste Velkoski.
Connah’s Quay Nomads: Lewis Brass, Danny Holmes, George Horan, Priestley Farquharson, Callum Roberts, Aeron Edwards (John Disney 78), Callum Morris, Danny Harrison (Sameron Dool 45), Craig Curran, Mike Wilde, Declan Poole (Jamie Insall 82)
Yellow Cards: Danny Holmes 54′
FK Sarajevo: Vladan Kovačevič, Dušan, Hodžić, Mirko Oremuš, Mersudin Ahmetović (C), Amar Rahmanović (Haris Handžić 80), Hrvoje Miličević, Džani Salčin (Selmir Pidro 59), Ivan Jukić, Andrej Dokanović, Amer Dupovac, Benjamin Tatar (Krste Velkoski 70)
Goals: Benjamin Tatar 15, 65′
Yellow Cards: Benjamin Tatar 35′
Connah’s Quay boss Andy Morrison said to Sgorio: “Two mistakes have given them their goals. Late on they could have flattered themselves with the result which wouldn’t have reflected the game.
“It’s two errors which have cost us. They’ve not opened us up, we’ve been in control of the game in the first-half out of possession.
“In the second half, we’ve done excellently. We were at our best passage of play, we were dominating possession and getting the ball into good areas and then we make a mistake, where we’ve been punished.
“I’m disappointed with that but I’m so proud of the players since it was five months since a competitive game, whereas these are early in their season.”
Catch-up on how the game unfolded here:
(Featured Image: TL Sports Photography)
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