Slovenia's Celje advance to Champions League play-off round

Celje defeated FC Ararat-Armenia 2-0 in the second leg of the third qualifying round for the Champions League, advancing to the play-off round with a 3-2 aggregate victory.

Dukuly and Verbič scored for the Slovenian side, CE Report informs via NK Celje's official website.

The hosts made a strong start and once again avoided the slow opening that had troubled them in their first two European matches against Egnatia. They comfortably controlled possession and moved into the opposition half, but lacked precision and decisiveness in the final moments.

After half an hour, the Armenian side began to respond and created a promising opportunity of their own. The match only began to produce significant chances after the break. In the fifth minute of the second half, Avdyli headed towards goal, but Bravim reacted well.

Celje came close again in the 70th minute, when the visitors managed to clear the ball off the goal line after a scramble inside the penalty area.

However, Ararat's defensive wall finally cracked in the 83rd minute. Avdyli's cross from the left was initially controlled inside the penalty area before Dukuly converted it with a low shot.

The celebrations of the more than 5,000 fans at Stadion Z'dežele had barely subsided when another burst of excitement followed. This time Dukuly turned provider. After a poor intervention by the Armenian defence, the ball fell to Verbič, who reacted brilliantly and scored Celje's second goal just three minutes later.

To complete his outstanding performance, Verbič also made a crucial goal-line clearance in the closing moments. With Celje reaching the final qualifying round for Europe's premier club competition, the academy graduate emerged as the undisputed hero of the match.

NK Celje: Leban, Koutris (Verbič 46'), Tutyškinas, Hrka, Širvys (Dukuly 69'), Zabukovnik, Kvesić, Avdyli, Sešlar (Ćalušić 90'), Ivanšek, Kučys (Poplatnik 69').

Photo NK Celje