The New Saints exit Europe at FC Midtjylland
The New Saints saw their European adventure come to an end after making a brave exit at FC Midtjylland at the MCH Arena.
Trailing 2-0 from the first leg in Cardiff, the Welsh Premier champions faced a tough task in the return in Herning if they were to keep their flag flying in the Europa League. They gave it a good go, but it was not to be as two second-half goals from substitute Ayo Okosun sentenced Scott Ruscoe’s men to a 3-1 defeat on the night – and 5-1 exit on aggregate,
Unchanged from the first leg, TNS made a positive start to the third qualifying round tie, but were stunned on 16 minutes as Midtjylland struck when Costa Rican Mayron George pounced with a neat finish. But the Saints were proving a handful, and went close to an instant reply when Edwards rattled the post after being played in by Danny Redmond.
And they were handed a lifeline on 22 minutes when a defensive slip saw Dean Ebbe break through before coolly slotting past keeper Jesper Hansen – his fourth goal in Europe this term.
Buoyed by the reply, TNS sensed a dramatic turnaround, but the Danes were still proving a threat going forward and tightened their grip in the second half.
The hosts grabbed a crucial second goal on the night when sub Okosun made an instant impression on 62 minutesto poke in a loose ball in a goalmouth scramble after Harrison had produced a fine save.
The Danes were now turning the screw and sealed the tie 10 minutes from time when the ball was crossed in from the right for Okosun to head his second past Harrison.
The Saints continued to battle, but it was not to be as they went out of Europe with heads held high, while Midtjylland go on to face Swedish champions FC Malmo in next week’s play-off round.
Teams
FC Midtjylland: J Hansen, K Hansen, Poulsen. Korcsmar, George, Mabil (Kraev 73) Andersson. Nicolaisen, Thychosen. Ogochukwu Onyeka (Okusun 61), Onuachu (Baidoo 84). Subs not used: Sparv, Munksgaard, Sanneh, Ottesen.
The New Saints: Harrison, Routledge, Spender, Marriott, Cabango, Redmond (Cieslewicz 70). Edwards, Hudson, Holland (Byrne 79), Mullan, Ebbe (Draper 73). Subs not used: Clark, Roberts, Hmami, Nembhard.
Referee: Irfan Peljto (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
