Petrocubvs.Ordabasy

The teams head into the meeting on level terms following a goalless stalemate in last week's first leg in Kazakhstan.

Match preview

Petrocub Hincesti return to action on Wednesday aiming to progress in their first-ever Champions League qualifying campaign, having previously fallen short in their attempts to reach Europe's second and third competitions over the last six seasons.

Their latest bid for a Europa Conference League group-stage place began in the second round last year, but the White-Blacks were dumped out by Maccabi Tel Aviv in a 5-0 aggregate defeat.

It would be a triumphant season for Andrei Martin's side nonetheless, as they went on to win their first Moldovan top-flight title, having amassed 52 points from their 24 outings across two phases, before prevailing in the Moldovan Cup by beating Zimbru 3-1 in the final in May thanks to second-half goals from Teodor Lungu, Ion Jardan and Mihai Lupan.

On the back of that memorable campaign, the Hincesti outfit returned to action for the first time in last week's first leg, their first Champions League outing, and they stood strong to see out a goalless stalemate on their travels in Kazakhstan.

Now heading into a meeting on level terms, Petrocub will be keen to make home advantage count on Wednesday and prevail to book their spot in the second round.

In their way stand a visiting Ordabasy team who are also in their maiden Champions League qualifying bid after winning a first-ever domestic top-flight title of their own last term.

After falling just short in the second round of Europa Conference League qualifying on their return to continental competition last season, suffering a 5-4 aggregate defeat to Legia Warsaw, The blue and whites went on to prevail in the Kazakhstan Premier League, finishing five points clear of second-placed Astana on 58 points from their 26 outings.

Aleksandr Sednyov's side headed into last week's first leg on the back of a strong start to their league title defence this year too, heading into the mid-season break in late June on the back of four straight victories to move three points clear at the summit of the top flight, most recently beating Kaisar 2-1 at home thanks to goals from Jasurbek Yakhshiboev and Dembo Darboe.

While they did fail to make the most of home advantage and gain an edge in their first-round tie last week, Ordabasy do now head into Wednesday's trip to Moldova knowing a victory on the night would see them progress to the second round later this month.

Petrocub Hincesti Champions League form:

D

Ordabasy Champions League form:

D

Ordabasy form (all competitions):

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