Underdogs on the Rise: The New Saints Aim for Redemption after Gothenburg Loss
The New Saints face an uphill battle in Champions League qualification after a disappointing 3-1 defeat to BK Hacken in Gothenburg Meanwhile, Larne's debut in the tournament got off to a rocky start with a 1-0 loss to HJK Helsinki
The New Saints' chances of advancing in the Champions League were shattered following a 3-1 loss to BK Hacken in Gothenburg. In the first leg of the initial qualifying round, they found themselves trailing by two goals within the first 13 minutes, thanks to strikes from Ibrahim Sadiq and Mikkel Rygaard.
In the 32nd minute, Declan McManus scored a powerful header from Jordan Williams' cross, bringing the Welsh Premier League champions back into the game. However, just five minutes later, Even Hovland restored the hosts' two-goal lead after a lengthy VAR review.
Northern Irish side Larne lose to HJK Helsinki on CL debut
Northern Ireland's Larne got off to the worst possible start in their debut in the Champions League, suffering a 1-0 defeat to HJK Helsinki. Their hopes were dashed when they conceded a penalty just three minutes into the match, courtesy of a foul by Cian Bolger on Topi Keskinen. As a result, Bojan Radulovic successfully converted the penalty, leaving Larne with a challenging task in the upcoming home leg of their first qualifying round tie.Wednesday's other Champions League first qualifying round ties...
Larne, having failed to register a single shot on target during the entire 90-minute match, now face a formidable challenge against a Finnish team that successfully advanced to the group stages of last season's Europa League.Tuesday's Champions League first qualifying round ties...
What are the key dates for the 2023/24 season?
The upcoming Premier League season is set to commence on the weekend of August 11-13 and will culminate nine months later on May 19 2024.The mid-season player break will occur from January 14 to 20. To alleviate the crowded schedule during Christmas and New Year, there will be at least a 48-hour break between each round within this period.
Furthermore, mark your calendars for the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, February 25, the Europa League final in Dublin on May 22, and the Champions League final at Wembley Stadium on June 1.
