UEFA Champions League

Second qualifying round second leg

FC Copenhagen 1 (3)

The New Saints 0 (0)

THE New Saints were have been knocked out of the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round by FC Copenhagen after a 3-0 aggregate defeat.

Scott Ruscoe's side left themselves with a tough task in Denmark after a 2-0 home defeat in the home leg.

Despite the game being a stalemate for the opening 45 minutes, the Danes put themselves ahead shortly after the break through José Carlos Gonçalves Rodrigues (known as Zeca).

Saints seemed unfazed by the large crowd in attendance, and were able to hold their own throughout the first half.

It was the Danish champions who went close first however – goalscorer in the first leg, Pieros Sotiriou dragged a shot inches wide of Paul Harrison's post.

The first half came to a close with Ryan Brobbel giving the home side a wake up call, as his long-range effort narrowly went over the crossbar.

After the break, TNS looked to keep themselves in with a chance, but the tie was all-but over in the 52nd minute.

Zeca stunned the Welshmen with a perfect strike from 25 yards out finding its way into the top corner.

Ruscoe's side were unable to comeback and were sent out of the competition.

The European journey continues for Saints however, as they now move down to the Europa League.

They will face the winners of the game between Valur Reykjavík and Ludogorets Razgrad on Thursday.

TNS: Harrison, Marriott (Hudson, 78), Redmond, Brobbel, Spender, Routledge, Cieslewicz (Lewis, 59), Mullan, Harrington, Edwards, Ebbe (Draper, 66)

Subs: Draper, Hudson, Nembhard, Byrne, Lewis, Roberts, Whitehouse