The New Saints prepare for Moldova trip in UEFA Europa League

The New Saints continue their European quest on Tuesday night as they travel to Moldovan side Petrocub in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League third qualifying round tie.

Craig Harrison’s men progressed past FK Decic in the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round, but then bowed out of that competition with a 7-1 aggregate defeat to Hungarian giants Ferencváros.

After getting their domestic campaign started with 5-1 win over Flint Town United in the Nathaniel MG Cup on Friday night, the Saints’ attentions now turn back to continental matters.

It will be their first ever tie against Moldovan opposition and their first appearance at this stage of the UEFA Europa League since 2019 when they were beaten by Ludogorets Razgrad.

Victory over two legs in this tie would see TNS progress to the UEFA Europa League play-off round and confirm a place in a European group/league stage – a first for a Welsh club.

Defeat would mean the Saints would drop to the UEFA Conference League play-off round and have one final opportunity to reach the group/league stage.

Petrocub made their UEFA Champions League debut this year after winning the Moldovan top-flight for their first time in their history last season – ending Sheriff Tiraspol’s run of eight consecutive titles.

Andrei Martin’s side triumphed 1-0 on aggregate over Ordabasy of Kazakhstan in the first qualifying round, before a 2-1 aggregate defeat to Cypriot side APOEL in the second qualifying round.

This is their second appearance in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round after defeat to Hungarian side Fehérvár two years ago.

Four of Petrocub’s team were included in the most recent Moldovan national team squad in June, including brothers Mihail and Sergiu Platica.

“I’ve watched their last three games so we are prepared,” Craig Harrison told BBC Sport Shropshire last week. “It’s going to be very tough. Anyone who beats Sheriff to win the Moldovan league are going to be a very good team.

“But it’s our first opportunity to become the first Welsh club in a group stage of European football. We’ll do all our due diligence, give everything we have and be prepared and ready for going out to Moldova.”