UEFA Champions League

Second qualifying round

The New Saints 1 (1)

Daniels 90+2

Ferencvarosi TC 2 (7)

Zachariassen 43

Rommens 62

THE New Saints’ European hopes will turn to the Europa League third qualifying round next week as Craig Harrison’s men bowed out of the Champions League.

The Welsh champions were beaten by Hungarian giants Ferencvaros at Park Hall on Tuesday night as goals in either half from Kristoffer Zachariassen and Philippe Rommens eased them to victory.

However, Josh Daniels claimed a last-second consolation for the Saints, a reward for their efforts. 

It means Harrison and his men will face a Europa League trip away next Tuesday, likely to be Moldovan side C Petrocub Hincesti with the return at Park Hall in two weeks.

After choosing a bold attacking line-up, starting his two main strikers in Brad Young and Declan McManus, Harrison had one eye on the Europa League third round qualifying clash next week.

The Irishman had an early sight of goal six minutes in when he controlled Josh Daniels’s deft knockdown but his shot was blocked.

Keen to make an impact in his first start of the campaign, McManus flashed a free-kick wide on 12 minutes when Ibrahim Cisse was adjudged to have handled.

Ryna Brobbel was booked on 21 minutes when he spoke to the referee direct, and not through his captain, much to the confusion of the home crowd who were still stunned when Aleksander Pesic was through on goal, only to be flagged offside.

On the half hour, Adama Traore – the hat-trick hero for the Hungarians in the first leg – left Jack Bodenham for dead in a deadly counterattack but only found the side netting.

The visitors took the lead two minutes before the break Zachariassen raced through, with the hosts desperately appealing for offside, and lobbing over the advancing Conner Roberts, and was confirmed after a long VAR check.

The hour marked arrived and TNS still had nothing to show for their efforts despite the front two huffing and puffing away at the Hungarian defence.

And the night got worse seconds later when Ashley Baker brought down Traore while clean through which Rommens duly dispatched whole the Sants man was also yellow-carded.

Harrison made an immediate triple sub bringing on Jordan Marshall, Josh Pask and Sion Bradley for Ashley Baker, Daniel Davies and Brobbel respectively.  

With the second goal secured, the Hungarians went into energy preservation mode, knocking the ball around with ease.

McManus was replaced with 15 minutes to go as Harrison looked to his bench to freshen up his side and with eyes on game time for next week.

Daniels capped off a hard-working showing with a tap-in at the back-post that survived a VAR review.

TNS (3-5-2): Roberts, Baker (Marshall 63), Davies (Pask 63), Bodenham, Redmond, Brobbel (Bradley 63), Williams D, Holden (Clark 80), Daniels, McManus (Williams J 75), Young

Subs not used:  Edwards, Hudson, McGahey, Smith, Canavan, Woollam, Jones

Attendance: 1,022