APOEL qualify for Last 32
 

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 5

APOEL defeat Dudelange 2-0 on the road to earn qualification to the Round of 32 in the UEFA Europa League.

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APOEL visited Luxembourg to face Dudelange in a game of great importance which was on the air even minutes before it started due to the bad turf of the Stade Josy Barthe. After the green light was issued, APOEL soared to an historic 2-0 triumph, booking their sport in the Round of 32 of the competition. Sevilla’s 2-0 win against Qarabag secured APOEL’s progression.

Uros Matic opened the score with a penalty kick and then delivered the ball for Giorgos Merkis who scored with a header.

APOEL are now guaranteed a place in the Last 32 of the Europa League with one round still remaining. The Nicosia side will now focus on the upcoming derby against Omonoia at the weekend.

THE MATCH

APOEL could not ask for a better start as they took the lead just 12 minutes into the game.

Tom Schnell was penalized for handball inside Dudelange’s penalty area, and Uros Matic subsequently beat Jonathan Joubert from the spot.

Nicholas Ioannou was then denied after a corner before Musa Al-Taamari hit the crossbar.

In the 34th minute, Dominik Stolz came close to an equaliser, as he smacked Vid Belec’s right post. Danel Sinani took the rebound but Vujadin Savic blocked his effort. Belec came up big four minutes later stopping Thibaut Lesquoy’s close effort.

APOEL survived Dudelange’s pressure and struck just before half time. Matic delivered a perfect free kick and Giorgos Merkis headed the ball past Joubert to double his team’s lead.

The second half started slowly, with APOEL solely focused on protecting their advantage. The Nicosia side were unfortunate, though, losing their captain Ioannou due to injury in the 65th minute.

Praxitelis Vouros later exited the pitch after seeing a second yellow card.

Nevertheless, both teams eventually finished the game shorthanded, as Sinani then received red for Dudelange.

Dudelange (Bertrand Crasson): Jonathan Joubert (GK) ©, Kobe Cools, Tom Schnell, Thibaut Lesquoy, Mohamed Bouchouari (AdEL Bettaieb), Mickael Garos, Sabir Bougrine (Corenthyn Lavie), Antoine Bernier, Charles Morren, Dominik Stolz (Mario Pokar), Danel Sinani

APOEL (Thomas Doll): Vid Belec (GK), Vujadin Savic, Giorgos Merkis, Nicholas Ioannou © (Antonio Jakolis), Praxitelis Vouros, Dragan Mihajlovic, Lucas Souza, Savvas Gentsoglou (Alef dos Santos), Uros Matic, Musa Al-Taamari, Linus Hallenius (Tomas De Vincenti)

HIGHLIGHTS

By: Marios Antoniou

Image Source: Sport FM Cyprus

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