Sabah FK stun The New Saints in qualifying upset

The New Saints hosted Sabah FK in the first qualifying round of the Champions League on a warm July evening in Wales. The home side looked to make their mark in European competition, but they would face a stern test from the Azerbaijani visitors. An early yellow card for Sabah's I. Lepinjica in the fifth minute set a slightly feisty tone, though neither side had truly settled into the contest at that point.

Sabah FK struck first through J. Mickels in the 28th minute, taking the lead with a composed finish. The away side's early goal appeared to steady their nerves, and they began to control the tempo of the match. The New Saints pushed for an equaliser but struggled to break down a resolute Sabah defence. Just before the interval, Sabah extended their advantage when R. Dashdamirov added a second goal in the 42nd minute, sending the visitors to the break with a commanding two-goal cushion.

The second half saw The New Saints come out fighting, determined to salvage something from the tie. They found a goal to reduce the deficit, though it came too late to spark a full comeback. Despite their efforts in the closing stages, the home side could not find the finishing touches needed to mount a genuine comeback. Sabah's defence held firm when it mattered, soaking up pressure and hitting on the counter when opportunities presented themselves.

The 2-1 scoreline represented a significant achievement for Sabah FK, who secured passage to the next qualifying round with an impressive away performance. The New Saints would rue their inability to capitalize on home advantage, but they now faced the prospect of a tough return leg if the tie format allowed for it. For Sabah, this victory demonstrated they could compete at the highest level and would enter the next phase with genuine confidence in their European campaign.