Heartbreaker in Glasgow for Cyprus
Heartbreaker in Glasgow for Cyprus
UEFA EURO 2020 QUALIFYING - GROUP I (MATCHDAY 3)
A hard fought match in Glasgow ended in heartbreak for Cyprus, as they fell 2:1 in matchday three action of Euro 2020 qualifying.
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Cyprus stymied Scotland throughout the first half. Andy Robertson finally opened the scoring for the Scots, but Cyprus kept fighting, and Ioannis Kousoulos seemed to have produced a late equalizer and an important point for the visitors.
Unfortunately, just two minutes later, an unlucky bounce set up a late winner for Oliver Burke, and a strong away effort went to waste for Cyprus.
As a result, Cyprus drop to fourth place in the group, still on three points. Belgium lead the way with nine points while Russia, who are level on points with Scotland, are in second with six points. In the rear view mirror, Kazakhstan have three points and bringing up the rear are San Marino, who have yet to earn a point thus far. It is worth mentioning that Cyprus still have a better goal differential than Scotland.
Cyprus next play Russia on Tuesday in Nizhny Novgorod.
THE MATCH
Scotland hosted Cyprus at Hampden Park in Glasgow. Scotland dominated the early possession, but had trouble getting shots on target. In fact, the first real chance actually fell to Cyprus. Michalis Ioannou, making his international debut, took a shot that was blocked in front by Stephen O’Donnell, but the ball caromed to Andreas Makris. Makris let fly, but David Marshall made the save.
Scotland did finally have a good chance as Charlie Mulgrew struck a free kick that Urko Pardo did well to save. The ensuing corner found Eamonn Brophy, but he headed it wide. Callum McGregor had an effort deflect off his own teammate James Forrest and in on Pardo, but the deflection actually made the save easier. Then Pieros Sotiriou forced Marshall to make a save at the other end, but the rebound was out of the reach of Kostakis Artymatas. A hard-fought first half resulted in a stalemate and a frustrated group of Scottish supporters who let their team hear it.
The second half was more wide open. Andy Robertson curled a shot that only narrowly missed high. Matija Spoljaric took a shot with pace, but right into the arms of Marshall.
Then Robertson tried a similar shot, and this time the Scottish Captain unleashed a scorching strike into the top corner that Pardo had absolutely no chance to stop. The 61st minute goal was exactly what Scotland needed, but Cyprus did not give up. It did however, shake up Pardo’s confidence, as he spilled a routine shot off the boot of McGregor wide for a corner. The corner came to nothing, and Cyprus were still in it.
Ioannis Kosti entered the match to his make international debut, and he set up a chance for Makris, but once again, Marshall was there. Though Scotland won the possession battle, Cyprus actually had more shots on target. Marshall’s save resulted in a corner, but the Scottish defense handled it, and O’Donnell was sprung down the left wing. He chipped Pardo, but mercifully, the ball skittered wide.
A third Cypriot came in to make his international debut, and this time it was Ioannis Pittas. Pittas made an impact, too, setting up a chance for Giorgos Efraim, but the Cypriot Captain couldn’t beat Marshall either. Ryan Fraser looked for the insurance marker, but Pardo made his best save of the match to keep his side in it.
A minute later, Pardo fielded an errant long ball, and alertly punted it downfield, connecting with Anthony Georgiou. Georgiou with a heads-up play banked it off Scott McKenna and out of play for a corner.
Georgiou took the corner himself, and found the head of Ioannis Kousoulos, and Kousoulos finally beat Marshall with a strong header, and in the 87th minute, the match was all level!
Cue the aforementioned heartbreak… Forrest found the ball on the wing, and crossed in for Oliver Burke. Burke hit it first time, and his shot hit the inside of the post, but the ball careened fortuitously right back to his head, and right past a helpless Pardo. Scotland had the lead back in the 89th minute.
Cyprus did have one final chance to steal a result, in the form of a free kick, but Efraim skied it over the net, and Scotland took the narrow 2:1 win.
LINEUPS
SCOTLAND(Steve Clarke): 1. David Marshall(GK), 2. Stephen O’Donnell, 3. Andy Robertson(Captain), 4. Charlie Mulgrew, 5. Scott McKenna, 6. Kenny McLean, 7. James Forrest, 8. John McGinn(‘79 16. Scott McTominay), 9. Eamonn Brophy(‘73 22. Oliver Burke), 10. Callum McGregor(‘87 18. Stuart Armstrong), 11. Ryan Fraser
CYPRUS(Ran Ben Shimon): 12. Urko Pardo(GK), 2. Michalis Ioannou(‘67 21. Anthony Georgiou), 3. Nikolas Ioannou, 7. Giorgos Efraim(Captain), 10. Pieros Sotiriou, 13. Ioannis Kousoulos, 14. Andreas Makris(‘80 23. Ioannis Pittas). , 16. Matija Spoljaric(‘70 20. Ioannis Kosti), 17. Renato Margaca, 18. Kostakis Artymatas, 19. Kostas Laifis
Image Source: onsports.gr
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