The New Saints’ Conference League Play-off Hopes: The Road Ahead

Filip Duricic was one of nine international players in Panathinaikos’ starting lineup that faced TNS. The Welsh club, The New Saints, may not require a full miracle, but manager Craig Harrison acknowledges that their European journey is now largely out of their hands. Following their defeat against Panathinaikos, The New Saints’ prospects of advancing to the Uefa Conference League knock-out rounds are minimal as they approach next week’s concluding fixtures. Despite this, reaching this stage is an accomplishment for a team that had already made history by becoming the first representatives from the Welsh league system to participate in the group stage of a European competition. Determining the exact requirements for their upcoming match against Celje in Slovenia on Thursday will involve extensive calculations and hopeful anticipation. However, for a team that maintained its pride, even if not securing points, against a Panathinaikos side featuring numerous international players, this situation should not be underestimated. “The majority of people would have thought we’d have two or three games left with nothing on it,” Harrison stated after the 2-0 loss in Shrewsbury. “It’s not a dead rubber. Whatever comes will be.” Harrison is at least certain that his team must secure a victory in the coming week. Their fourth loss in five games – with their sole win occurring at home against Astana – places them two points and eight positions behind the final play-off spot, currently held by Turkey’s Basaksehir. In addition to the Istanbul club, which has five points, TNS can only realistically overtake three other clubs currently on six points. These include Hearts, who will host Petrocub in Thursday’s final matches. Only one fixture involves two of their direct rivals, TSV and Noah, playing each other, suggesting that a favorable combination of results is not entirely out of the question. However, it is the Cymru Premier champions’ relatively strong goal difference, currently at minus four and expected to improve with a win, that fuels Harrison’s hope of potentially securing a spot in the knockout phase play-offs. This means they need to win their match, hope that a series of other results go in their favor, and trust that their consistent performance in tight contests throughout the group stage will ultimately pay off in the final moments. “We’re not ruling it out; why would we?,” goalkeeper Connor Roberts remarked. “I couldn’t tell you about the points because there’s so many teams to look at.” He added, “But we’re due a win in this competition, and regardless if we were bottom we still want another win.” Roberts, a former Wales Under-21 international, has garnered attention for his performances in European matches. His contributions have been crucial in ensuring TNS has conceded only seven goals in five games, two of which were against strong opponents like Fiorentina and Panathinaikos. He executed several crucial saves against Panathinaikos in Shrewsbury, including one powerful shot that chipped his front teeth. Despite the unpleasant experience, the former Wales call-up affirmed it was worthwhile for the opportunity to compete in European action against a team that started with nine international players. “And then I had to chuckle to myself when they brought on a player from the 2022 World Cup team of the tournament (Morocco’s Azzedine Ounahi),” Harrison commented with a laugh. “That’s the gulf in class we’re talking about at this level, but we can be proud. I don’t want to get in the habit of being beat and accepting defeat but the performance was a good one, and if we play as we did here we have a chance.” Harrison concluded, “The lads have a laugh at me for talking about the footballing gods, but if you give everything you’ve got at some points you get your rewards so we’ll keep going.”