Samardžić spot kick sends Sheriff past Ulisses

FC Sheriff moved into the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round courtesy of a 1-0 home victory against Ulisses FC.

Sheriff held a 1-0 lead after the first leg but were unable to increase that cushion until midway through the second half, when captain Miral Samardžić converted from the penalty spot after Tengiz Ugrekelidze fouled Aleksandar Pešić.

It could have been even more comfortable for Sheriff had Marko Stanojević and Alexandru Dedov not been denied by the woodwork in the opening 45 minutes. They were not deterred, though, and remained in charge after half-time. Pešić's header just after the hour was as close as they came, Edvard Hovhannisyan pulling off a fine save in the Ulisses goal.

Samardžić soon struck the killer blow from the spot and the floodgates nearly opened, with Dedov and Benjamin Balima both spurning clear-cut opportunities. Ulisses had only one opening of note, Aragoney's long-range shot comfortably kept out by Vladislav Stoyanov.

Sheriff will play PFC Ludogorets Razgrad or GNK Dinamo Zagreb in the third qualifying round, with that tie poised at 1-1 going into Wednesday's second leg in the Croatian capital.