Former Wales International Optimistic About Welsh Sides’ European Prospects
Owain Tudur Jones, former Wales international and product of the Cymru Premier, believes The New Saints can achieve an extended run in Europe this season.
The Cymru Premier champions, The New Saints, defeated FK Decic with a 4-1 aggregate score to reach the Champions League second qualifying round, where they will face Hungary’s Ferencvaros. The Saints have openly aimed to become the first Welsh side to reach the group stages of a European competition.
“One of the biggest things I always feel is you need luck, you need luck with the draw,” Jones shared with BBC Radio Wales Breakfast. “They travel to Hungary and have got a chance. And what gives them a chance is that they have the insurance policy of falling – even if they lose in the Champions League qualifiers – they drop down to the next stage and then potentially the next stage after that. They have a really good chance and are potentially a couple of games away, worst case scenario, of qualifying for the Europa Conference.”
Jones highlighted the excitement surrounding Caernarfon Town’s performance as well, saying, “All eyes will be on New Saints to progress, but Caernarfon Town for the excitement and let’s see what the Cofis can do over in Poland.”
Caernarfon Town’s Historic Achievement
In their first-ever European competition appearance, Caernarfon Town triumphed over Northern Ireland’s Crusaders in a penalty shoot-out, advancing to the Europa Conference League second qualifying round. The Canaries will face Polish giant Legia Warsaw, although the away leg will be played behind closed doors due to UEFA’s punishment for fan behavior during last season’s competition.
“What a massive club that is – previous European semi-finalists,” Jones remarked about Legia. “But unfortunately that will be played behind closed doors because of the behavior of their fans last year. It’s a good thing in a way but for the atmosphere, you work hard all season to play in Europe and to play against the big clubs and in big stadiums, unbelievable atmospheres. They’re going to miss out on that, which is a shame.”
Near Misses for Connah’s Quay Nomads and Bala Town
Connah’s Quay Nomads and Bala Town both experienced extra-time heartbreak as they exited the Europa Conference League. The Nomads fell to two late goals – one in regular time and the other in extra time – resulting in a 2-1 aggregate loss to FK Bravo. Bala Town, after taking an early lead against Estonia’s Paide through Nathan Peate, were minutes away from penalties before being denied by a goal in extra-time stoppage time.
Reflecting on these near misses, Jones said, “Now this one was so close to being a summer of 10 out of 10 in the first round for all four clubs. The New Saints and Caernarfon had already gone through the previous evenings, and Bala and Connah’s Quay were so close to glory.”
“Such disappointment,” Jones said of Connah’s Quay, “They worked so hard with bodies on the line. Then Bala, equally disappointing if not more because they were down to 10 men in extra time, winning away from home and they conceded in the 121st minute, before it could go to penalties. Heartbreak. It has to be an eight out of 10 collectively – it’s been a really successful couple of weeks. But unfortunately probably the fact they were coming up against full-time teams that were just a little bit fitter and that mental block right at the end has cost Connah’s Quay and Bala.”
Caernarfon Town’s Phil Mooney and Joe Faux celebrate their side’s penalty shoot-out win over Crusaders