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The New Saints are the first club from the Cymru (Wales) Premier League to win a match in the group phase of a European competition.
The New Saints celebrating their win in the UEFA Conference League (X)
Welsh club The New Saints made history with a 2-0 victory against Kazakh side Astana on Thursday.
The New Saints are the first club from the Cymru (Wales) Premier League to win a match in the group phase of a European competition.
Playing at English League One side Shrewsbury’s New Meadow instead of their own stadium, which was too small for Conference League regulations, the Welsh minnows took the lead in the 40th minute when Rory Holden headed home from Jordan Williams’ cross.
Craig Harrison’s side, the first team from the Welsh domestic system to make a European group stage, were beaten 2-0 at Fiorentina in their opener, but they would not be denied a fairytale victory this time.
In the 78th minute, Adam Wilson’s cross was handled by Islambek Kuat in the penalty area and Declan McManus drilled his spot-kick down the middle.
“Qualifying to this stage was special and tonight getting our first win at this stage of the competition it’s a dream come true,” Harrison said.
“I’m so proud of everyone involved at the club. We do deserve to be here and we can win at this level.”
Beaten by West Ham and then Olympiakos in the last two Conference League finals, Fiorentina survived a scare in their 4-2 win at St Gallen.
The Swiss side took a shock lead through Felix Mambimbi’s 23rd minute goal but Lucas Martinez equalised in the 50th minute.
Jonathan Ikone struck for Fiorentina four minutes later before St Gallen’s Lukas Gortler levelled in the 62nd minute.
Ikone restored the lead in the 69th minute and Robin Gosens’s stoppage-time goal secured the Serie A team’s second successive victory in the competition.
The champions of the Republic of Ireland were too strong for the champions of Northern Ireland as Shamrock Rovers routed Larne 4-1 in Belfast.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – AFP)
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United Kingdom (UK)
