体坛英语新闻：Red Star, Spartak Trnava tied in Champions League qualifications

BELGRADE, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Red Star Belgrade and Spartak Trnava played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round at the Rajko Mitic Stadium in Belgrade on Tuesday.

The match between last season's champions of Serbia and Slovakia started in an attacking manner, with Red Star pressing Spartak's goal from the first minute, looking for a chance to establish a lead in the two-legged tie.

Although Red Star appeared determined to satisfy their tens of thousands of home fans by taking an early lead, Spartak managed to keep them at bay with tight defensive play and some hard tackling.

It was after some tough defending that Red Star took the lead, after Nenad Krsticic was adjudged to have been fouled in the box by Spartak's Boris Godal in the 21st minute. Referee Martin Chudy showed no hesitation in awarding a penalty to Red Star and a yellow card to Godal.

El Fardou Ben Nabouhane successfully converted the spot-kick to make it 1-0 to Red Star, but the Serbians' joy was short-lived, as a quick Spartak counter saw midfielder Erik Gendel fire home the equalizer just two minutes later, with the score remaining 1-1 at half-time.

In the second half, Red Star once again went on the attack, with a long-range effort from Lorenzo Ebecilio edging just wide of the post in the 53rd minute.

Despite Red Star pushing hard for a winner and registering several shots on target in a dramatic finale, the game finished 1-1, with all still to play for in the decisive second leg in Trnava, Slovakia next week.

The winning team in that game will progress to the final playoff round, where they will face either Red Bull Salzburg of the Austrian Bundesliga, or Macedonian outsiders Shkendija. The winner of that two-legged tie will qualify for a place in the Champions League group stage, while the losing team will drop into the UEFA Europa League.