Dutch Premier League football club FC Twente, coached by former England manager Steve McClaren, drew 0-0 on Wednesday against Sporting Lisbon in first leg of the third qualifying round of the Champions League.

That was despite losing their first choice keeper Sander Boschker to a red card after 24 minutes for a foul in the penalty area. The reserve keeper, Bulgarian international Nikolai Michalyov, saved the resulting penalty.

FC Twente almost scored just before the final whistle when their Congolese striker Blaise N'Kufo beat the keeper, but his shot went into the side netting. The return match will be played in Enschede next Tuesday. If FC Twente manage to beat Sporting Lisbon, they will have to play another qualifying round to determine if they will participate in the main group stage of the Champions League.