The New Saints are back in UEFA Conference League action on Thursday night as they host Astana of Kazakhstan on Matchday Two of the League Phase.
With Park Hall unable to meet UEFA regulations for the League Phase, the match will be played just 20 miles down the road at Shrewsbury Town’s New Meadow.
After an impressive performance in their 2-0 defeat away to Fiorentina three weeks ago – when they defended resolutely to hold the Italian giants to a goalless stalemate until the 65th minute – TNS will be targeting points on the board on Thursday.
Astana were victorious on Matchday 1, as Kipras Kazukolovas’ early header earned a 1-0 home win over Serbian side TSC. Lithuanian centre-back Kazukolovas is one of multiple internationals in the Astana team, with four players included in Kazakhstan’s squad for their UEFA Nations League fixtures earlier this month.
Nigerian journeyman striker Geoffrey Chinedu is the key player to look out for, as he has 14 goals in 16 appearances this season – including five in qualifying for the UEFA Conference League. 37-year-old winger Marin Tomasov, a one-time Croatia international, comes into the game with two goals and three assists in his last three league appearances.
With seven league titles to their name, Astana are the most successful club in Kazakhstan’s top-flight. They are currently third in the table, two points off top spot with a game in hand, having won seven of their last eight matches. This is their second consecutive season in the UEFA Conference League group/league stage, having previously competed in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.
TNS prepared for Thursday night’s clash with a 16-0 win over third tier Llangollen Town in the JD Welsh Cup last Friday. Craig Harrison certainly did not take the tie lightly, with five of the starting XI having featured against Fiorentina two weeks previously.
The likes of Jack Bodenham, Josh Daniels, Dan Williams and Danny Davies should all return to play their part in Shrewsbury, along with goalkeeper Connor Roberts who made the most saves of any shot-stopper on Matchday One in the League Phase (eight). Adam Wilson scored four against Llangollen so will be full of confidence, having also been called up to the Kenya national team squad earlier this month.
“This is huge, it’s historical,” Craig Harrison said. “It’s something we haven’t ever done before [play a home League Phase game]. Obviously Fiorentina was huge, but I think this one is probably just as big if not bigger. It will be a very, very proud night for everyone involved.”
Watch The New Saints v Astana live on TNT Sports 4 from 7:45pm on Thursday night, with kick-off at 8pm.
