FC Progres Niederkorn 1 Cardiff Met 0
Cardiff Met’s European dreams are still alive after they suffered a narrow defeat in the scorching heat in Luxembourg.
As European debuts go the students can give themselves a pat on the back, a B++, but they will need an A* performance in the second leg of their Preliminary Qualifying Round fixture at Leckwith Stadium on 4 July if they are to continue in the Europa League.
Things could have been so different had their claims for a penalty in the first minute when home goalkeeper Seb Flauss appeared to bring down Elliot Evans, but the referee was having none of it and Progres survived an early scare.
The students looked very composed on the ball as they tried to play out from the back, but they ran into a brickwall like defence and found it difficult to create chances.
A few long throws caused Progres a few difficulties, but there was never enough quality in the final third to get a goal.
There were no goals in the first half and Progres finally broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute as they began to dominate possession.
A cross into the box from the right was headed home by target man Mayron De Almeida as the heroic Will Fuller was finally beaten in the Met goal at Stade Municipal de la Ville de Differdange.
Chris Edwards’ side were perhaps guilty of dropping too deep after the break and and had to defend for long periods.
Even so, all Progres had to show for their dominance was that single goal and it means there will still be all to play for in the second leg.
