Turkey's Malatyaspor risk Europa League adventure

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish football club Yeni Malatyaspor had a risky start to their first UEFA Europa League campaign as they drew against Slovenia's Olimpija Ljubljana 2-2 at home on Thursday evening in the second qualifying round first leg.

Visitors Olimpija Ljubljana took the lead at Yeni Malatya Stadium in the 13th minute of the match as Croatian forward Ante Vukusic scored.

However Malatayspor's Ecuadorian defender Arturo Mina scored the equalizer in the 20th minute. Mina took a long shot but the ball was deflected by his teammate Thievy Bifouma and Olimpija Ljubljana goalkeeper Nejc Vidmar was unable to parry it.

Yeni Malatyaspor came back in the 66th minute when North Macedonian striker Adis Jahovic converted the penalty successfully.

Olimpija Ljubljana were seeking an equalizer to have the advantage for the second leg as their Austrian forward Stefan Savic made it 2-2 in the 74th minute of the match.

So Yeni Malatyaspor risked their Europa League adventure after Thursday's disappointing home tie.

The second leg will be played at Ljubljana's Stozice Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 1.

The winning team in this phase will advance to the Europa League third qualifying round.