Difficult Beginning
The Europa League play-off between Apollon and Lokomotiv found the two teams in different form. The Railwaymen had already played four matches in their national league while the Cyprian team were yet to open their season with this game.
This meant Lokomotiv were in better condition and it became felt immediately. Apollon wanted to demonstrate their strength in front of their fans and rushed forward but this was an easy task for the visitors. By the third minute, the Cypriotes had been locked on their half. Lokomotiv’s first-time starter Oumar Niasse was one of the biggest threats to the host’s defence. In one episode, the Senegalese masterfully received the ball passed to him by Vedran Corluka, turned around and blasted goalwards but only hit the net from the outside.
Soon, Alan Kasaev and Dmitry Tarasov set up a much more perspective offensive. Alan sped past the opponents up the centre and made a delicate pass to the teammate who had a go at the goal but to no avail.
By the 30th minute Lokomotiv had had two fat chances to take the lead. First, Manu Fernandes crossed from a corner to the area where the keeper Bruno Vale cleared the danger. Alexander Samedov picked the ball up and sent a low flyer hoping to net but hit a defender’s leg. Soon came another fee kick for Lokomotiv, this time Samedov wanted to try it himself. Oumar Niasse was waiting for a cross at the far post but again Bruno Vale grabbed the ball.
Anyway, Lokomotiv scored before the half-time. One of Loko’s most active players Alan Kasaev demonstrated impressive dribbling skills, picked a comfortable position near the arc and drove the ball right into the far upper corner.
In the half-time Leonid Kuchuk decided to refresh attack with Dame Ndoye who replaced his countryman Niasse.
Limassol team started the second half with a dangerous attack. A cross from the left flank was meant for Meriem who lacked a bit to finish it from the far post.
Lokomotiv’s creativity much depended on Kasaev. In one episode Alan broke into the box from the right and passed to Vitaliy Denisov who found himself all alone in front of the empty net. The defender tried to send the ball in but missed the target.
Very soon the Red-Greens’ fans thought they would witness the third penalty in their team’s third game. Papoulis stumbled over Tarasov’s leg just outside the area. The Croatian referee first pointed at the spot but after some consultations with the linesman changed his mind and called it a free kick. Apollon failed to convert it into something feasible.
The Railwaymen tried to break the run of play that was getting influenced by the Cypriotes’ attacks but Ndoye only managed to see the linesman flagging offside twice in ten minutes.
Fifteen minutes before the final whistle Lokomotiv found themselves in a difficult position when Yan Tigorev fouled in a simple situation. The midfielder stepped on an opponent’s heel tendon and was ejected with a direct red card.
Apollon took their chance immediately. In a rapid counter-attack Abraham carried the ball into the area and kicked the it past Guilherme.
A couple of minutes before the final whistle Lokomotiv lost another player when Denisov was sent off for the second booking. The raging fans pushed their team forward and the players from Limassol were very close to scoring a winner but Thuram’s blast shook a post and his teammate’s touch was inaccurate.
The start of Lokomotiv’s Europa League bid proved difficult but we have good chances in a return game thanks to the away goal.
Apollon - Lokomotiv 1:1 (0:1)
Goals: Kasaev, 39 (0:1). Abraham, 80 (1:1).
Apollon: Bruno Vale, Merkis, Robert, Stylianou (Moulder, 70), Joao Paulo, Basiliou (Thuram, 79), Gullon, Meriem (Rezek, 69), Amdani, Abraham, Papoulis.
Lokomotiv: Guilherme, Shishkin, Corluka, Durica, Denisov, Tigorev, Tarasov (Mykhalyk, 65), Samedov, Fernandes, Kasaev (Maicon, 62), Niasse (Ndoye, 46).
Yellow cards: Stylianou, 32. Merkis, 53. Denisov, 63. Maicon, 88.
Red cards: Tigorev, 75 (rough play). Denisov, 87 (second yellow card).
Referee: Ivan Bebek (Croatia).
August 21. Nicosia. GSP Stadium.
