Kenyan defender Philipp Mwene crashed out of the Champions League following a barren draw against Benfica while Jonah Ayunga missed Morecambe’s 4-2 defeat to Preston North End in the Carabao Cup. Philipp Mwene The former Mainz defender started the UEFA Champions League Playoff against Benfica as he was deployed in the right-back position.Benfica won the first leg 2-1 forcing PSV to push for nothing short of a win to qualify for the Group Stages of the Champions League for the first time since the 2018-2019 season. Damn.#PSVBEN— PSV (@PSV) August 24, 2021 PSV were handed a shot in the arm in the 32nd minute when Brazilian defender Lucas Verissimo was sent for an early shower for a second bookable offence. Benfica however sat deep, restricting PSV to few chances with their best attack coming in the second half when Eran Zahavi saw his effort cannon off the woodwork from close range.The Portuguese giants advanced to the Group Stages of the Champions League while PSV were relegated to the UEFA Europa League. Jonah AyungaKenyan forward Jonah Ayunga missed the matchday squad as his Morecambe side were bundled out of the Carabao Cup following a 2-4 defeat by Preston North End.Morecambe had a torrid start to the game as Emil Riis sealed a 33rd-minute brace but Anthony O’Connor pulled one back in the fourth minute of first-half injury time.FULL-TIME: #Shrimps 2-4 @pnefc. A valiant effort from Stephen Robinson men but it ends in defeat against @SkyBetChamp opposition. #UTS 🦐 | #MORvPNE pic.twitter.com/1bxQdwir1a— Morecambe FC (@ShrimpsOfficial) August 24, 2021 The League Two side restored parity a minute after the hour mark through Cole Stockton who unleashed a fierce strike that proved too hot to handle for the Preston keeper.Goals from Ryan Ledson and Sepp van den Berg scored as Preston advanced to the Third Round of the Carabao Cup while Morecambe turns their attention to the league. Eric JohanaThe former Mathare United midfielder was handed his 13th start of the season as Jönköpings Södra returned to winning ways following their cup exit at the hands of Skiljebo.The first half of the encounter was a drab affair as little goalmouth action was witnessed with GAIS sitting deep and hoped to catch Södra on the counter but their tactic proved to be ineffective.Matchen är i den 85:e minuten när J-Södras Robin Book spräcker nollan!Se den spännande avslutningen i matchen mellan Gais och J-Södra på https://t.co/UUGUImL20Q pic.twitter.com/TL0WzL4x7Y— discovery+ sport 🇸🇪 (@dplus_sportSE) August 24, 2021 The second half was a similar affair with Södra upping the ante in a bid to pick up another league win as they continue to push for promotion back to the top tier. GAIS resilience was finally broken six minutes to time as a fast interchange between Robin Book and Edin Hamidovic ended with the former slotting the ball home.Södra held on for the three vital points as they now sit four points below promotion places while GAIS are hovering close to the relegation zone.
