TNS target European group stage return

Craig Harrison is in his second spell as boss of The New Saints, having returned to the role in 2022

Head coach Craig Harrison says a return to the group phase is the target as The New Saints prepare to face Differdange 03 in the Uefa Conference League second qualifying round.

Saints suffered a painful Champions League exit last week as they conceded deep in extra time against Shkendija.

The Welsh champions now drop into the Conference League, where they must come through three two-legged knockout ties if they are to repeat the heroics of last season by reaching the group stages.

The first of those is against Luxembourg champions Differdange, with the first leg at Park Hall on Wednesday (19:00 BST).

"We have reached the league phase once and we want to go and do it again," Harrison said.

"Saying it and actually doing it are very different things. We have got no god-given right to go and do it again, but that is our aim."

TNS became the first club from Wales' domestic leagues to progress from the qualifying rounds to the group stages of a European competition last season.

After being beaten in the second stage of Champions League qualifying by Ferencvaros, Harrison's side lost in Europa League qualifying to Petrocub before victory over FK Panevezys sealed their place in the Conference League group phase.

The New Saints were beaten 2-0 at Fiorentina in last season's Conference League

TNS then faced Fiorentina, Djurgardens, Astana, Shamrock Rovers, Panathinaikos and Celje, with their solitary group victory coming against Kazakhstan's Astana.

"When I first spoke to [TNS owner] Mike Harris about coming back, we talked about getting to the group stages in Europe within three to five years," Harrison said.

"We managed it in two, so we were ahead of schedule. It's now about trying to emulate that. We have to keep standards and expectations very high."

Saints were beaten 2-1 in North Macedonia last week after a goalless draw in the first leg.

Harrison felt the stalemate was a "missed opportunity" and says his players must make home advantage count against Differdange, who have also dropped into the Conference League after losing to Kosovo's FC Drita in the Champions League.

The winners of the tie will meet either Estonia's FCI Levadia Tallinn or FC Iberia 1999, of Georgia, in the third qualifying round.

The two other Welsh clubs who reached Europe this season, Penybont and Haverfordwest County, are already out of the Conference League.

TNS' successes last season had an impact for their fellow Cymru Premier clubs, with the boost it brought in Uefa coefficient points ensuring there will be four Welsh clubs rather than three in Europe in 2026-27.

Harrison is conscious that TNS are flying the flag for Wales once more, adding: "We know that is our responsibility every year and how much it means to the country."