Shkendija welcome Haverfordwest to Tose Proeski Arena in the UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round first leg on Thursday (July 13).
The hosts are in their third campaign, while Haverfordwest are making their first. Shkendija reached the UEFA Europa Conference League third qualifying round last season, losing to Swedish giants AIK. In their maiden participation in 2021-22, they made to the second qualifying round.
Kuq e Zi finished third in the 2022–23 Macedonian First Football League to qualify for the Conference League. They have played three friendlies in preparation of their continental campaign, winning against Petrolul 52 and Rogaska and losing to Sarajevo.
Haverfordwest, meanwhile, concluded the 2022–23 Cymru Premier season – the Welsh top flight - below the direct qualification spot, in seventh. However, they won the qualification playoffs against Newtown to book their place in the Conference League qualifiers.
The Bluebirds failed to impress in two preceding warm-up games, losing against Larne (2-0) and Penybont (1-0). The visitors will miss the services of key centre-back and captain Dylan Rees, who's still recovering from a cruciate ligament injury. Seven new players have joined the outfit in the summer.
Shkendija new signing Zija Merdjani will play no part in the clash after sustaining an injury during training.
Ljupcho Doriev and Eraldo Cinari played crucial roles for Shkendija last season, scoring 11 and eight goals respectively, while Adenis Shala delivered nine assists. The trio will man their attack once again.
Meanwhile, Jordan Davies was a top performer for Haverfordwest last season, leading their scoring charts with 12 goals. He was convinced to remain at the club amid interest from top
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