TNS outclassed by Ferencvaros in Champions League

Craig Harrison is in his second spell as New Saints boss, having returned to the club in August 2022

The New Saints were outclassed by Ferencvaros as they were beaten 5-0 in the Champions League second qualifying round first leg.

Mali winger Adama Traore scored a hat-trick, with Kristoffer Zachariassen and Marquinhos also finding the target in Budapest as Ferencvaros cruised to a comprehensive victory.

Saints, Welsh champions in the last three seasons, began as underdogs against opponents who have won the last six Hungarian titles and included a number of international players.

Barring a miracle comeback in the home second leg on Tuesday, 30 July, Saints will now drop into the Europa League third qualifying round, where they will meet either Cypriot side APOEL or Moldova’s FC Petrocub.

Craig Harrison’s team were on the backfoot from the outset against Ferencvaros, with Traore breaking the deadlock on 14 minutes with a header which looped inside the far post.

Traore swept in his second goal seven minutes later after the visitors’ defence failed to deal with a ball over the top from Raul Gustavo.

It was 3-0 on 24 minutes, Norway midfielder Zachariassen guiding the ball low into the bottom corner from Marquinhos’ cross.

To their credit, Saints dug deep and almost pulled a goal back before half-time, with Danny Davies shooting narrowly wide before Jordan Williams’ thumping drive came back off the bar.

But Ferencvaros were back on the front foot after the break, with Traore heading in his third goal at the far post.

Brazilian Marquinhos stroked home from the penalty spot just after hour mark after Williams was penalised for a foul on Zachariassen.

Zachariassen was denied a sixth Ferencvaros goal by the offside flag when he turned home after Connor Roberts' fine save from Marquinhos, before substitute Declan McManus missed a golden chance to score a late consolation for the Saints.

The New Saints manager Craig Harrison told BBC Radio Shropshire:

“Obviously it's disappointing. No-one likes getting beaten and certainly no-one likes getting beaten by five goals. It’s a tough one to take.

"It was a really tough game. The first half an hour is probably the difference in the game – they came out of the blocks which we were expecting them to do.

“They have shown us the ultimate respect by playing probably the strongest team they have available and I think tonight proved they have got some very good players.

“That first half hour was probably a bit too much for us.”