The New Saints suffered a 2-0 first‑leg loss to Sabah FK in Baku on Tuesday, 2 July 2026, ending their unbeaten run in European qualifiers. The Welsh champions, sitting 1st in the Cymru Premier with 80 points from 32 games and a recent 5‑game winning streak, now face a daunting return fixture at Park Hall.

What happened in Baku?

Craig Harrison’s side travelled to Azerbaijan for the first time in club history and were met by a high‑pressing Sabah side that had toppled Qarabag in their domestic league. Early chances fell to Joy‑Lance Mickels and Zedadka Akim, but both missed close‑range headers. The Saints’ captain, Danny Redmond, kept the score level with a series of last‑ditch tackles, yet the hosts dominated the second half. Aaron Malouda threatened down both flanks before Veljko Simic headed in the opening goal on 66 minutes from a Tymoteusz Puchacz cross. Simic later set up Kaheem Parris for the second, despite a red‑card for Steve Solvet in stoppage time.

Why the result matters for The New Saints

The defeat arrives as the club leads the league by 22 points over GAP Connah S Quay FC, having scored 81 goals and conceded just 25 this season. While the loss does not affect their domestic dominance, it raises questions about their European strategy. Harrison explained the game plan focused on a low‑block shape, but the second goal exposed gaps in the transition. Nathan Shepperd’s goal‑keeping kept the score from widening, yet the Saints will need to tighten defensive transitions for the second leg.

Who stood out?

New signings Dynel Simeu and Rhys Hughes made their competitive debuts, showing promise despite the result. Isaac Godwin and Zach Nolan were on the bench, indicating depth in the squad. On the opposition, Aaron Malouda’s wing play was a constant threat, while Simic’s aerial presence proved decisive. The red‑card to Guadeloupe international Steve Solvet means he will miss the return match, potentially easing pressure on The New Saints’ back line.

What comes next?

The second leg returns to Park Hall on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, kickoff 18:30. Harrison’s squad will look to exploit the home advantage and the missing Solvet to overturn the deficit. The Saints remain confident, with the manager noting, “We are as happy as we can be while getting beat… we look forward to bringing Sabah back to Park Hall.” A win would keep their European hopes alive and maintain momentum heading into the domestic run‑in, where they sit atop the table with a 5‑game winning streak.

The club’s league form remains impressive: 26 wins, 2 draws, 4 losses, and a goal difference of +56. Their last league result was a 1‑0 victory over Barry Town on 18 April 2026. All eyes will be on whether they can translate that dominance onto the European stage.