Celtic held by Kairat Almaty in Champions League play-off

Celtic’s Champions League hopes are firmly in the balance after they were held to a goalless draw by Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan in Glasgow in the very first leg of their play-off tie on Wednesday, while Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce played out a goalless draw with Benfica.The Scottish

champs pressed Bayern Munich close in the knockout stage play-offs last season after finishing 21st out of 36 teams in the league stage.Advertisement However Brendan

Rodgers’s team

might not break down the champs of Kazakhstan, who have already come through 3 certifying rounds to get to this phase and are eyeing a very first look in the competition proper.James Forrest was rejected by a great save from Kairat goalkeeper Aleksandr Zarutskiy right at the start of the second half from one of few clear possibilities that fell Celtic’s method at Parkhead.At the other end, Brazilian Edmilson saw a chip from inside the centre circle for Kairat land on

the roofing system of the internet following an error by Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers. Daizen Maeda then discovered himself in behind the Kairat defence late on but could only shoot straight at substitute goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov.Advertisement Celtic for that reason have all of it to do when they make the difficult trip east next week to Almaty, not far from Kazakhstan’s border with China.”We’re dissatisfied with the result and first-half efficiency. We didn’t start with the intent and mindset we wanted to. We were quite passive,”stated Rodgers, whose group were booed off at full-time.”There’s no doubt we can go there and win. Obviously, you want to take a benefit with you,(however )it’s still very much in the balance.” Fenerbahce and Benfica played out a 0-0

draw in the first leg of their incorporate Istanbul.Advertisement The Portuguese giants, who lost in the last 16 last season to Barcelona, held on in the pressure cooker atmosphere in Turkey regardless of having midfielder Florentino sent in the second half.Benfica for that reason have the

minor edge going into the return in Lisbon, but Fenerbahce are intending to reach the Champions League proper for the very first time given that 2008/09. Norwegian champs Bodo/Glimt look particular to reach the league stage

of Europe’s elite club competition for the very first time after a stunning 5-0 home win over Austria’s Sturm Graz.Kasper Hogh, Odin Bjortuft and Ulrik Saltnes all scored in the first 25 minutes for last season’s Europa League semi-finalists. Advertisement Hakon Evjen made it four early in the second half and a William Boving own goal completed the rout.Swiss champs Basel drew 1-1 at home to FC Copenhagen in heavy rain at St Jakob-Park. Xherdan Shaqiri’s early penalty put Basel in front, however Gabriel Pereira equalised for the Danish side in first-half stoppage time.Basel had alternative

Jonas Adjetey sent off late on however claimed a draw as an Andreas Cornelius objective for Copenhagen was ruled out for a marginal offside.as/ mw