Shock Champions League exit for APOEL despite win
 

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - 1ST QUALIFYING ROUND (LEG 1)

APOEL earned a 1:0 home win over FK Suduva, however their 3:1 defeat in the first leg forced the Cypriot champions to bid farewell to the Champions League, losing 3:2 on aggregate. They will continue their European campaign in the Europa League qualifying rounds. 

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The home side entered the match with a clear intention to find an early goal. APOEL trapped Suduva in their half of the pitch and on 20 minutes, a ball from Giorgos Efraim was headed into the net by Mickael Pote for an early 1:0 APOEL lead. The early goal was exactly what APOEL needed in their uphill battle after a 3:1 first leg defeat on the road. The hosts continued to press and efforts from Guilherme Dellatorre and Efraim were unable to find the back of the net as APOEL took a 1:0 lead into halftime. 

The second half started with APOEL playing at a fast pace and they desperately looked for a second goal that would give them the score needed to qualify (2:0). In the 57th minute, a shot from Efraim hit Suduva’s post and in the return, a double effort by Dellatorre was denied by the Suduva goalkeeper Ivan Kardum. APOEL continued the pressure but lacked the classic chance as all their efforts either missed the target or were stopped by Kardum. The final whistle gave APOEL the win, but the Galazokitrini bowed out 3:2 on aggregate. 

APOEL controlled the game but were unable to break down Suduva’s defence for the desperately needed second goal. The Cypriot champions will blame their first leg performance in Lithuania, in their failure to advance in the Champions League against a much less talented side. 

It is a tough result for APOEL to swallow and it may affect the team in a various ways in the upcoming season. Despite that, they will continue their European campaign in the Europa League and will face Estonian side Flora Tallinn in the second qualifying round.

HIGHLIGHTS: APOEL - SUDUVA

by Marios Antoniou

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