Craiova too strong in the second leg, Sarajevo eliminated from Europe

(Patria) - Football Club Sarajevo has been eliminated from Europe, after failing to defend their 2:1 lead from the first leg in Romania tonight.

The team led by coach Zoran Zekić was defeated away at Universitatea Craiova with a score of 4:0 in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round, writes Faktor.

The hero for the home team was Assad Al Hamlawi. The striker from Palestine dismantled the visitors in practically half an hour, scoring a hat-trick from the 51st to the 83rd minute.

The match in Craiova was delayed by seven minutes due to technical issues.

The first chance was recorded in front of the Romanian goal in the 12th minute. Kyeremeh intercepted a ball and tried to finish it himself, but shot wide.

A minute later, there was danger at the other end. Baiaram beat Ristovski and crossed into the middle, but Jatta intercepted the pass at the last moment and cleared the ball for a corner. After the corner, Romanchuk headed the ball, but missed the target.



Guliashvili then tried from a free kick. Goalkeeper Isenko saved, and the referee pointed to a goal kick.

In the 29th minute, a great chance for the home team, but Cicaldau was indecisive and reacted poorly when he should have passed to Al Hamlawi.

Towards the end of the first half, home goalkeeper Isenko saved his team several times.

In the 39th minute, the best chance for Sarajevo. Guliashvili and Mlinarić combined, the latter shot with his head, but Isenko intervened brilliantly.

In the next attack, another chance for the Maroon team. This time, the home goalkeeper intervened in front of Guliashvili.

Then it was dangerous in front of Sarajevo's goal. Banić saved Baiaram's shot, and at the other end, the home goalkeeper stopped Renan Oliveira.

Sarajevo had a lot of luck in the 43rd minute. Teles shot with his head from a good position, but fortunately, the ball went over the goal.



At the start of the second half, the home team threatened first. Baiaram tried from distance, and Banić saved his goal with some difficulty. Al Hamlawi then tried, but was blocked.

In the continuation of the action, Universitatea took the lead. After a corner, Al Hamlawi scored with an acrobatic overhead kick. The visitors thought the Palestinian was offside, but the referee pointed to the center.

Sarajevo could have equalized immediately, but Isenko saved Renan Oliveira's shot.

Universitatea doubled their lead in the 68th minute. Mora crossed from the right, Sarajevo's defense was asleep, and Cicaldau headed in for 2:0.

After that, the Maroon team's game fell apart, and the home team knew how to punish it. Al Hamlawi scored twice - in the 79th and 83rd minutes.



Craiova will play against Slovakia's Spartak Trnava in the third qualifying round of the Conference League.

As for Europe, only Zrinjski will represent Bosnia and Herzegovina. Borac, Željezničar, and Sarajevo will turn their attention to domestic competitions.