UEFA Champions League 1st Qualifying Round
The New Saints 0 - 0 FT Shkendija
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
The New Saints
Goalkeepers
N. Shepperd
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
H. McGahey
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Bodenham
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Redmond
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Midfielders
L. Smith
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
R. Holden
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Corness
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Williams
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
R. Brobbel
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Forwards
J. Williams
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
B. Wilson
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
J. Edwards
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Marshall
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
R. Astles
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
H. Godsmark-Ford
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Craig
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
B. Clark
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Canavan
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Charles
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Cieslewicz
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Oteh
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Nadin
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
L. Phillips
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Shkendija
Goalkeepers
B. Gaye
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
A. Trumci
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
I. Fetai
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Cake
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
R. Webster
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Midfielders
R. Ramadani
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Qaka
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
E. Krasniqi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Forwards
F. Tamba
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
L. Latifi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
F. Ademi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
A. Amzai
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
F. Ramani
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Murati
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
N. Ceka
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
N. Ajetovikj
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Meliqi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Alhassan
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
F. Ramadani
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
B. Ibraimi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
V. Krstevski
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
L. Kaba
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Nuhija
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/07/2025 | The New Saints | 0 - 0 | Shkendija | UEFA Champions League | Park Hall |
| 17/07/2018 | The New Saints | 4 - 0 | Shkendija | UEFA Champions League | Park Hall |
| 10/07/2018 | Shkendija | 5 - 0 | The New Saints | UEFA Champions League | Ecolog Arena |
08/07/2025
17/07/2018
10/07/2018
The New Saints Win
Shkendija Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Deadlock at Park Hall: New Saints and Shkendija Cancel Each Other Out
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 6/100. This scoreless stalemate leaves everything to play for in the return leg, with both sides still very much alive in the Champions League qualification race.
A Night of Missed Opportunities
At Park Hall, The New Saints and Shkendija served up a cautious affair that epitomized the stakes of European football's qualifying rounds. Neither side could break through a resolute defensive structure, leaving the crowd frustrated and the tie perfectly balanced heading into the second leg. The home side controlled long periods of possession but lacked the clinical edge needed to trouble the Macedonian visitors, who sat deep and waited for their moments on the counter-attack.
The Intensity Never Quite Ignited
The opening exchanges suggested a cagey encounter, and that's precisely what unfolded across ninety minutes. The New Saints pressed for dominance in their own backyard, probing the Shkendija defence with measured build-up play. Yet when the final pass came, it lacked precision. Shkendija's compact shape proved difficult to unpick, and their goalkeeper stood firm whenever danger emerged. The visitors showed flashes of attacking intent on the break, but ultimately neither goalkeeper was seriously tested.
A Tactical Balance That Favours Nobody
This is the nature of two-legged ties: one team's caution becomes another's opportunity. The Welsh hosts will rue not capitalizing on their territorial advantage, while Shkendija will take heart from holding firm away from home. The return leg in Macedonia promises to be a different proposition entirely—with one side needing to attack and the other potentially more willing to open up. For now, Park Hall witnessed a match that proved neither team was willing to overcommit, leaving the Champions League dream very much alive for both.
Key Questions
Did The New Saints create clear-cut chances?
The hosts dominated possession but lacked a clinical finishing touch. Shkendija's defensive discipline kept them at bay throughout.
What does a 0-0 draw mean for the second leg?
Everything remains possible. The tie is wide open, and both sides will approach the return leg in Shkendija with genuine hope of progression.
How did Shkendija's defensive approach work?
By sitting compact and restricting space, Shkendija nullified The New Saints' attacking threats and remained organized throughout the ninety minutes.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
A Tactical Chess Match at Park Hall
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 8/100. This fixture is a classic qualifying stalemate where the fear of conceding outweighs the desire for an aggressive opening statement.
The Setup
The journey toward the European elite begins in earnest as The New Saints host Shkendija at Park Hall on July 08, 2025. This 1st Qualifying Round opener is defined by its extreme Balance, as both clubs look to navigate the high Stakes of the Champions League path. For the home side, the challenge is to turn domestic dominance into continental progression, but a modest Form rating suggests they are still finding their competitive rhythm in these early summer weeks. With the potential of dropping into the Conference League path upon defeat, the pressure to secure a first-leg advantage without overcommitting is immense.
Key Battle
In a contest lacking marquee individual Stars to provide moments of solo brilliance, the match will be decided by the tactical discipline of the respective midfield units. The New Saints generally prefer to dictate the tempo on their own patch, but they face a disciplined defensive block from Shkendija. The visitors are historically resilient when travelling in Europe, often happy to surrender the ball in exchange for a compact low block that frustrates technical teams. The key battle will be the home midfield's ability to circulate the ball with enough speed to displace the Macedonian backline. If the visitors can maintain their shape and close down the half-spaces, the match risks becoming a congested battle in the central third with very few clear-cut opportunities.
Our Prediction
Expect a cagey encounter where tactical caution takes precedence over attacking intent. The New Saints will likely see more of the ball, but breaking through a veteran Shkendija defense will prove difficult without a significant creative spark. Neither manager will want to see their side out of the tie before the second leg even begins. A 1-1 draw is the most probable outcome, with both goals likely resulting from set-piece situations or defensive lapses rather than sustained open-play dominance. This result would leave the tie perfectly poised for the return fixture, as both teams prioritize staying in the contest over taking unnecessary risks.