The second penalty
Perhaps the most prominent and controversial talking point was the decision to award Víkingur Reykjavík another penalty in the 58th minute.
As replays have shown, Josh Pask’s challenge on Ingason was a fair one, and referee, Peter Kralovič, made the wrong call.
The decision changed the dynamics of the tie completely and has left The New Saints with plenty of work to do at Park Hall on Tuesday.
It’s only half-time
Although it was disappointing to lose in Reykjavík, there’s still another 90 minutes of football to play before anything is decided.
The Vikes’ two-goal lead isn’t unassailable, and an early goal for the hosts on Tuesday puts Anthony Limbrick’s team right back in the hunt.
The Saints’ strong home record
It’s no secret that Limbrick’s side like playing at Park Hall. After all, they’ve only lost two home games in the last two seasons.
That league form translates into European competition too, and we’ve recorded plenty of memorable wins in Oswestry over the years.
Who could forget the 4-0 win against KF Shkëndija in 2018, or last summer’s 5-1 victory against FK Kauno Žalgiris. There’s no reason why we can’t see something similar in the second leg on Tuesday.
Four changes
Having named an unchanged starting line-up in Belfast last week, the TNS head coach shook things up with four changes this time around.
There were first starts for summer signings, Josh Pask and Josh Daniels, with Ben Clark and Adrian Cieslewicz also in from the off.
It almost worked perfectly too, with Daniels going close to breaking the deadlock with less than two minutes played.
Kristall Máni Ingason
With two goals from the penalty spot and plenty of other opportunities throughout the night, the hosts’ number 80 certainly proved a handful for The Saints’ defence.
A full Icelandic international with two caps to his name, Kristall Máni Ingason looks set for a very successful future in the game.
His impressive performances in Europe this season have already earned him a move to Norwegian side, Rosenborg, next month.
It wouldn’t be the first time that the JD Cymru Premier champions have come up against a future star of the game either.
Don’t forget, in 2011, an 18-year-old Romelu Lukaku scored twice against TNS for Anderlecht and his career hasn’t turned out too badly has it.
