Belgrade, July 28 (IANS): Red Star Belgrade of Serbia defeated Czech outfit Sparta Prague 2-0 at the Rajko Mitic Stadium here in the first leg of the third round of qualifications for the UEFA Europa League football tournament.

The Serbian team dominated Sparta during the entire first half on Thursday, creating several goal opportunities, only one of which was used by Richmond Boakye in the 13th minute of the match to give an early lead for the home team, reports Xinhua news agency.

Red Star's Guelor Khanga managed to shake the net of the Czech team once more in the second half with a powerful distance shot in the 65th minute after a well-directed pass by Boakye, setting the final result of the match.

Red Star coach Vladan Milojevic congratulated his players in a statement to Radio Television of Serbia (RTS) after the match, but warned that it will not be easy to maintain the result in the second game.

"We prepared for the match and I can congratulate my players. The second game will not be easy at all in Prague. Sparta is an extremely tough opponent, so I can only say that the first part is over, and that we will analyze and prepare for the next game," he said.

The two teams will play the second leg at the Generali Arena in Prague on August 3, to decide who will proceed to the play-offs later this month.