New Saints manager Craig Harrison admitted his team were powerless to prevent a heavy 5-0 defeat in the first leg of their Champions League second qualifying round in Hungary.
The Cymru Premier champions were overwhelmed by Ferencvaros and TNS already look destined to drop down to the Europa League after the home leg.
“That first half hour was probably a bit too much for us,” confessed Harrison.
“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.
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Malian winger Adama Traore shone with a hat-trick, while Kristoffer Zachariassen and Marquinhos also scored in Budapest, leading Ferencvaros to a dominant win.
The Saints, champions of Wales for the past three seasons, entered the match as underdogs against the Hungarian titleholders, who have claimed the last six league titles and boast several international players.
Without a miraculous comeback in the home second leg on Tuesday, 30 July, the Saints are poised to drop into the Europa League third qualifying round, where they will face either Cypriot side APOEL or Moldova’s FC Petrocub.
For the third straight fixture, Craig Harrison names an unchanged side in the UEFA Champions League.
Here's how The New Saints start against Ferencváros.#UCL | #FERENCVÁROSTNS pic.twitter.com/a71GeLCErb
— The New Saints FC (@tnsfc) July 23, 2024
Harrison’s side was under pressure from the start, with Traore opening the scoring 14 minutes in with a looping header to the far post.
Traore added his second goal just seven minutes later, capitalizing on a defensive error from a Raul Gustavo long ball.
The scoreline became 3-0 by the 24th minute, with Norwegian midfielder Zachariassen slotting the ball into the bottom corner from a Marquinhos cross.
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The Saints showed resilience and nearly scored before halftime, with Danny Davies narrowly missing the target and Jordan Williams hitting the bar with a powerful drive.
After the break, Ferencvaros resumed their dominance, with Traore completing his hat-trick with a header at the far post.
Marquinhos converted a penalty just past the hour mark after Williams fouled Zachariassen.
Zachariassen was denied a sixth goal by an offside call following a fine save by Connor Roberts on Marquinhos’ attempt. In the closing moments, substitute Declan McManus missed a prime opportunity to score a consolation goal for the Saints.
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