Astana lie in wait after crushing Romanians 6-1

BBC

Wed, 14 Aug 2024, 7:05 pm·1-min read

Astana's Marin Tomasov — Marin Tomasov, who has one cap for Croatia, scored twice for Astana [Getty Images]

Astana of Khazakhstan lie in wait for St Mirren should the Paisley side overcome the odds in Brann on Thursday to reach the Europa Conference League play-offs.

Grigory Babayan's side, who finished domestic runners-up last season, swept aside Romanian Cup winners Corvinul Hunedoara 6-1 on the night and 8-2 on aggregate on Wednesday.

Nigerian striker Geoffrey Chinedu added to his first-leg winner by putting the hosts ahead after only 14 minutes against the side who finished runners-up in last season's Romanian second tier.

However, it was not until the second half when Astana ran riot at Ortalyq Stadion.

Croat midfielder Marin Tomasov grabbed the second after 58 minutes before three goals in seven minutes from Chinedu, Albanian midfielder Nazmi Gripshi and Tomasov again.

Visiting left-back Mihai Velisar pulled one back with 11 minutes remaining, but Khazakhstan winger Elkhan Astanov restored the five-goal advantage.