Rijeka defeated the Welsh Champions to advance to the third qualifying round of Champions League.
HNK Rijeka defeated The New Saints (TNS) 5:1 in the second-leg of the second qualifying round for Champions League last night at Park Hall in Oswestry, reports NK Rijeka on July 18, 2017.
Rijeka, who also secured the first match win against the Welsh side (2:0), must now wait for the outcome between Red Bull Salzburg and Hibernian FC which is scheduled on Wednesday. Red Bull Salzburg celebrated a 3:0 win against Hibernians FC from Malta in the first leg.
Rijeka had dominated throughout the game in Oswestry but managed to break the host only at the end of the first half with a goal by Matei in the 41st minute. It was clear that this goal disheartened The New Saints, who now needed to score four goals against Rijeka in order to advance. Once the game become 0:1 for Rijeka, The New Saints seemed more interested in killing time than finding the back of the net.
In the 54th minute, Gavranović pushed the ball passed the keeper for 0:2, and less than 10 minutes later in the 61st minute, Gorgon had a stunning strike from 15 meters out to make the game 0:3. The goal even received applause from the home fans! Just three minutes later, Ristovski finished, making the game 0:4 for Rijeka.
The New Saints, however, did get a goal in the 69th minute when Cieslewicz finished with a sharp shot from the penalty area for 1:4.
Ten minutes later, Gavranovič found an empty net to make the score 1:5 for Rijeka in the 79th minute. The game ended 1:5 for the Croatian side.
