Crusaders finish Europa first-leg tie down by two goals against 10-man Basel

Having secured a dream date with a Basel club rich in modern history including regular appearances at the elite-level Champions League stage, the Crues head home down by 2-0.

It proved another European performance of pride and passion by the Irish League outfit ahead of next Thursday’s home tie at Seaview.

That first-leg reverse arrived despite the hosts at St Joseph-Park losing Taulant Xhaka to a red card just past the half-hour mark.

Xhaka’s dismissal for two bookable offences came on 33 minutes.

However, the deficit on the field lasted fewer than four minutes before Crusaders had to react to a deficit on the scoresheet.

Basel broke the deadlock when Dan Ndoye steered a shot beyond Jonny Tuffey.

The initial exchanges proved competitive as Basel pushed for the upper hand but Ben Kennedy forced the home goalkeeper into one save before Crues shot-stopper Jonny Tuffey had to be alert.

Billy Joe Burns and Chris Hegarty produced key defensive contributions before the tie turned around a red card and first goal.

Tuffey made an early second-half save but Basel managed to double the advantage with a clever and clinical backheel finish by Adam Szalai.

Basel created additional openings and attempts both wide and high.

Kennedy then came close to finding Paul Heatley in a promising position before the Crues had to survive the risk of an own goal.

Crusaders had one header wide off a corner-kick late on and a Kennedy free-kick caused problems for goalkeeper Marwin Hitz.

But Tuffey and Hegarty combined to keep the deficit at two goals before Johnny McMurray’s header forced Hitz into a fine save.

One late header proved just off target and Hitz was on hand to deny McMurray in the closing moments.

Basel: Hitz, Sergio-Lopez, Comas (Males, 76), Pelmord, Padula, Frei Xhaka, Burger, Ndoye (Amdouni, 67), Szalai (Millar, 67), Ltaief (Tushi, 81).

Subs (not used): Salvi, De Mol, M.Lang, Djiga, Hunzikwe, Chipperfield.

Crusaders: Tuffey, Hegarty, Burns, O’Rourke, Larmour, Clarke (McMurray, 76), Kennedy, Lowry, Heatley, Winchester (Weir, 75), Forsythe.

Subs (not used): Pauley, Lecky, Ebbe, Patterson, Owens, McKeown, Robinson, Barr, Morrow.

Referee: A.Kourgheli.