​The New Saints head coach Craig Harrison insists there is still everything to play for in the Champions League, despite their 2-0 defeat to Sabah in the opening leg. In the first qualifying round clash in Baku, Sabah struck twice in the second half to seal the win away from home, leaving TNS with a mountain to climb for the return leg at Park Hall next Tuesday. Harrison remains upbeat about his side’s chances and believes they can overturn the deficit on their own ground.
“We are well and truly in the tie and we look forward to bringing Sabah back to Park Hall,” Harrison said. He pointed out that if they had conceded a 1-0 margin, it might not have been disastrous, but a 2-0 scoreline still keeps the contest alive. “It keeps you in the game and keeps you ready to go back at Park Hall,” he added. The Welsh side have enjoyed a strong home record in recent seasons, and Harrison emphasized they can build on that: “We’ve had a really good record at Park Hall in recent years. We gave Ferencvaros and Hacken really good games and were only beaten by the odd goal by both teams. So, if we can get a goal first, then it’s game on again.”
In Baku, Veljko Simic and Kaheem Parris found the net for Sabah in the second half, despite a disciplined defensive display from TNS. Harrison said he was “very proud” of his players’ performance in the face of a formidable opponent. He noted the extensive work behind the scenes, praising the effort of the coaching staff and the players: “Myself and the coaching staff have spent long hours planning it, trying to get it from paper to pitch, getting across to the players and the players have come on board perfectly.”
Harrison highlighted that one of Sabah’s goals stemmed from a well-executed set play for the opener, while the second was described as a very good goal from very capable players. “We’ve got to sometimes accept that and we have accepted it,” he said, acknowledging the quality of Sabah’s firepower. Yet he insisted that, overall, the performance was closer to the plan than the result might suggest. “I thought overall, the players carried out the plan almost perfectly and we are as happy as what we can be after being beaten,” he added.
Looking ahead to the second leg, Harrison urged patience and belief. The head coach is confident that a goal at Park Hall could reignite the tie and shift the momentum in their favor. He stressed that the tie remains within reach and that Park Hall has historically been a fortress for The New Saints, giving them a legitimate opportunity to turn the tie around. The 2-0 deficit is not insurmountable, Harrison argued, especially with the home advantage and the potential for early pressure in the return leg.
Harrison’s messaging to supporters also centered on the idea that nothing is decided yet. With the tie still alive, The New Saints have a realistic path to progression if they can combine a solid defensive performance with clinical finishing in attack. The manager’s strategy now is clear: secure a clean sheet, score at least once, and put Sabah under pressure to defend a lead that would suddenly feel vulnerable in front of a vociferous Park Hall crowd.
As fans ready themselves for the next chapter of this Champions League qualifier, all eyes will be on Park Hall to see if TNS can overturn the two-goal aggregate deficit. Harrison’s optimism is anchored in his belief that the team’s hard work, tactical discipline, and resilience can produce the desired result. If they can translate their away performance into a strong home display, The New Saints may still emerge victorious and progress to the next round, keeping their European ambitions alive for another campaign.