The New Siants Vs Shkendiji

In a historic achievement for Welsh football, Craig Harrison's The New Saints (TNS) etched their name into the annals of the game by becoming the first club from Wales’ domestic league to reach the league stage of a European competition. This landmark moment occurred during the 2024-25 season when TNS advanced to the league phase of the UEFA Europa Conference League, an accomplishment that sparked national pride and invigorated fans throughout the country. As the 2025-26 season unfolds, Harrison and his players are setting their sights even higher, daring to dream of an unprecedented leap into the group stage of UEFA’s premier competition — the Champions League.

The New Saints have long been a dominant force in the Cymru Premier, Wales’ top domestic league, and their 2024-25 campaign was no exception. At the point where the league splits into the Championship and Playoff conferences, TNS found themselves holding a slim advantage, leading Penybont by just a single point. Yet, as the season progressed, their grip on the title tightened emphatically. They surged to the finish line, ultimately concluding the campaign a commanding 14 points clear of their nearest challengers. This powerful run confirmed their championship credentials and cemented their place in the Champions League qualification rounds.

Despite this domestic dominance, TNS have faced significant challenges since the end of the season. Their form in pre-European fixtures has been underwhelming, a concern that looms large over their continental aspirations. In a trio of preparatory matches, they failed to register a single win. Perhaps most concerning of all was a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Newtown AFC on July 1, a result that exposed some of the vulnerabilities in a side aiming to conquer greater European heights. With such results, questions have inevitably been raised about the readiness of Harrison’s squad as they brace for the rigorous demands of UEFA competition.

Nonetheless, there are reasons for optimism. TNS have cultivated a fortress-like presence at their home ground, Park Hall, where they have maintained a perfect record in 2025. Every team that has set foot there this year has been dispatched without mercy. This kind of home advantage is not to be underestimated, especially in two-legged knockout ties where the first leg can set the tone for progression. In fact, their impressive performance in the opening round of qualification during the previous campaign illustrates their potential. Last year, they faced FK Dečić of Montenegro and dispatched them 4-1 on aggregate. A 3-1 home win was followed by a gritty 1-1 draw away, a testament to their tactical discipline and resilience on the road.

Unfortunately for TNS, their European journey in 2024-25 did not proceed entirely as planned. In the subsequent round of UEFA Champions League qualifying, they were thoroughly outclassed by Hungarian champions Ferencváros, who exposed the gulf in quality between elite European sides and the Welsh champions. This loss relegated TNS to the UEFA Europa League qualifiers, but their struggles continued. Facing Petrocub Hîncești, a strong side from Moldova, TNS fought valiantly but were ultimately edged out 1-0 over two legs. Though their dreams of Champions League and Europa League participation were dashed, they found a silver lining by dropping into the Conference League where they would go on to make history. Their appearance in the third-tier European competition’s league stage remains a cherished memory for their supporters, proof that persistence and ambition can yield remarkable milestones for smaller footballing nations.

As the new campaign gets underway, TNS hope to replicate and build upon last season’s European exploits. However, their path will not be easy. Their first hurdle is a familiar one in the form of FK Shkëndija, a club from North Macedonia that has developed a reputation for being seasoned competitors in UEFA qualifying rounds. Managed by Jeton Beqiri, Shkëndija are not strangers to continental football, having made multiple appearances in Europe over the past decade. However, the 2025-26 campaign marks their return to Champions League qualifiers after a brief absence, their last involvement at this level coming in the 2021-22 season.

Shkëndija earned their ticket to this year’s qualifiers by clinching the Macedonian First League title in dramatic fashion. It was a fiercely contested race that saw them edge out Sileks by a narrow margin of three points. With 20 wins to their name — just one more than Sileks — Shkëndija proved that their attacking prowess and competitive spirit remain very much intact. Their supporters, known collectively as the Ballistet, were elated to see their team reclaim domestic supremacy and re-enter the European stage with momentum on their side.

Despite topping the table and leading the league in goals scored, Shkëndija’s defensive record is a source of concern. Over the course of their 33-match campaign, they conceded 30 goals — a figure that falls short when compared to their rivals. Sileks, by contrast, let in only 19 goals, and Rabotnichki, who finished third, conceded 21. This disparity in defensive solidity could become a significant liability in the unforgiving environment of Champions League qualifiers, where one lapse can determine the outcome of an entire tie. While Beqiri’s men may shine going forward, questions remain about their ability to keep things tight at the back when faced with resolute opposition.

This concern is further underscored by their recent form. In their last 11 outings, Shkëndija have managed to keep only two clean sheets. That said, they can take encouragement from their away performances during this period. Since early March, they have been defeated just once on the road — a record that suggests they are capable of grinding out results under pressure. If they can maintain that composure when they travel to Park Hall, they might return to North Macedonia with a favorable result in hand, giving them the upper hand for the second leg on home soil.

Yet history casts a shadow over their trip to Wales. Shkëndija have faced Welsh opposition in recent memory, and the encounter did not end in their favor. In the 2023-24 Conference League’s first qualifying round, they met Haverfordwest County and endured a tightly contested tie that eventually went to penalties. Haverfordwest held their nerve and emerged victorious, sending Shkëndija packing much earlier than anticipated. That bitter experience may still linger in the minds of Beqiri’s players, a cautionary tale of what can happen when you underestimate clubs from leagues often dismissed as minor.

The upcoming fixture between The New Saints and Shkëndija thus presents a fascinating clash of ambitions, form, and continental pedigree. On one side, TNS are looking to defy expectations once more and bring the Champions League dream one step closer to reality. On the other, Shkëndija aim to reestablish themselves among Europe’s competitive mid-tier clubs, using their domestic resurgence as a springboard to broader success. The stakes are immense for both clubs — not only in terms of sporting pride but also financially, as progression through UEFA’s qualifying rounds comes with significant monetary rewards that can help transform clubs of this size.

For Craig Harrison, this tie is another opportunity to validate the long-term vision he has been crafting at TNS. His tenure has been marked by consistent domestic success, but his legacy will be defined by how far he can take the club on the European stage. His meticulous approach to player development, game preparation, and tactical discipline will be tested against an opponent that has tasted the rigors of UEFA competition before. The outcome of this tie could very well shape the direction of his project for years to come.

Meanwhile, for Jeton Beqiri and Shkëndija, the tie represents a return to a stage they believe they belong on. The Macedonian champions are eager to banish the memories of their past shortcomings and prove that their current generation of players can achieve more than just domestic accolades. They know they must strike a delicate balance — attack with the confidence that brought them 20 league victories, but defend with a discipline they’ve struggled to maintain.

Both teams arrive at this juncture with flaws and strengths in equal measure. TNS have their formidable home form and recent European experience, but suffer from a lack of winning rhythm in recent weeks. Shkëndija carry the momentum of a league title and road resilience, yet their defensive frailty could be their undoing. It is a match-up that encapsulates the intrigue and unpredictability of early-round European qualifiers — where ambition collides with reality, and dreams of glory are shaped one pass, one goal, and one moment at a time.

As the fans gather at Park Hall for the first leg, they will be witness to more than just a football match. This is a clash of cultures, philosophies, and hopes. Whether it ends in triumph or heartbreak, the encounter will be another chapter in the ongoing effort of smaller clubs to carve their place in the sprawling landscape of European football. For The New Saints and Shkëndija, everything is on the line — not just the next round, but the chance to elevate their club’s identity on a continental scale.