Champions League: Crusaders 0 FC Copehagen 3
IRISH League champions Crusaders were beaten 3-0 by Danish champions FC Copenhagen in the first leg of their Champions League second qualifying round tie at Seaview last night.
Stephen Baxter's side began well and Declan Caddell headed over from Richard Clarke's cross.
But the opening goal came from Federico Santander in the 19th minute when he headed low into the the bottom corner of Sean O'Neill's net.
Five minutes before the half-time break, Andreas Cornelius doubled the advantage for the visitors when he met Peter Ankersen's cross with a diving header.
The game was over as a contest when Rasmus Falk then shot into the bottom right hand corner from 20 yards for a third goal eight minutes into the second period.
That said, the Crues did fashion a few more goal-scoring chances in the second half, with Gavin Whyte going close and substitute David Cushley looking a real danger in his first competitive game for the Shore Road men.
The former Ballymena United striker forced Robin Olsen into a save with his fingertips with a half-volley, then fired over and brought another great stop from the keeper with a late effort.
Santander could have made it 4-0 but Sean O'Neill did well well to deny him.
Meanwhile SSE Airtricity League Premier Division champions Dundalk fought out a 1-1 draw with FH Hafnarjordur at Oriel Park in their Champions league qualifier.
The Louth side took the lead in the tie on 66 minutes when David McMillan, who was lively throughout until his substitution on 77 minutes, fired home brilliantly from a cross from Patrick McEleney. With 15 minutes to go former Rangers player Steven Lennon equalised for the Icelandic side.
