In a surprising turn of events during the Champions League qualifier, Welsh champions The New Saints (TNS) found themselves in an unusual situation. Midfielder Rory Holden had to wear a shirt with his squad number 18 handwritten on the back using a ballpoint pen. This incident occurred after Holden's original jersey was bloodied during the first half of the match against Shkendija.

The Incident

During the first half of the match at Park Hall, Holden was involved in an incident that left his jersey covered in blood. The referee, Rob Hennessy, informed TNS that Holden needed to leave the pitch to change his shirt. With no spare jersey available with a printed number, the TNS backroom staff quickly improvised by writing the number 18 on the back of a replacement shirt using a ballpoint pen.

The Aftermath

The makeshift number was only needed for a short period, as the half-time whistle blew soon after. Holden returned for the second half wearing a standard jersey with printed name and number. Despite the unusual circumstances, the match ended in a goalless draw. Holden was eventually substituted in the 80th minute.

Manager's Perspective

TNS manager Craig Harrison shared his thoughts after the match, stating, "It was a pretty even game possession-wise, but I think we created the better opportunities. In the first half, we had three or four opportunities that we should have done better with. In the second half, we had a big chance, and it's a good save by the goalkeeper to be fair. Maybe a 1-0 win probably would have been deserved on opportunities. I'm happy with the clean sheet but a little bit disappointed that we couldn't score a goal."

Looking Ahead

The return leg of the qualifier is scheduled to take place in Skopje on 15th July. The winners will advance to face either FCSB of Romania or Inter Club d'Escaldes of Andorra in the second qualifying round. TNS, who made history last year by reaching the group stage of the UEFA Conference League, are aiming to progress further in this year's Champions League.

This incident, while unusual, adds to the rich tapestry of football history, showcasing the lengths teams go to ensure the game continues seamlessly.