Past Europa League
Lokomotiv were determined to score when the team rushed forward with the starting whistle. In the first 10 minutes Leonid Kuchuk’s men had two good chances: Manu Fernandes made a perfect pass to Alan Kasaev who broke one-on-one but sent the ball right into the keeper’s hands. In the next episode Maicon approached the goal from an acute angle but the home turf played a bad trick on the Brazilian: the forward slipped failing to produce a strike.
On 15 minutes Oumar Niasse had a fat chance to score an opener. The Railwaymen’s “younger” Senegalese finished a cross from a corner and only woodwork helped Bruno Vale keep his goal intact.
The Cypriotes managed to withhold Lokomotiv’s starting spree and immediately ran forward when they had this opportunity. As a result, Guilherme had to try hard to save the ball from under the crossbar.
By the middle of the opening half, the score suddenly changed unfavourably for Lokomotiv. Apollon cleared after Lokomotiv’s corner and launched a counter-attack. The young Alexander Seraskhov managed to strip his opponent off the ball but another Cypriote picked it up in the centre , transferred to the wing, where a winger worked it and crossed to the box. The pass found Rezek who headed it into the back of the net.
The goal stimulated Lokomotiv for another attacking spree that was meant to equalize. Sadly, out of five chances only one could have been effective when Dmitriy Tarasov’s cross to the far post came onto Maicon’s head. The Brazilian smashed it but Bruno Vale saved.
Immediately after the restart, the Railwaymen found themselves in an even more discouraging situation. Sangoy easily shook off Vedran Corluka on the wing and crossed for Papoulis who doubled the travellers’ lead.
Two away goals meant Lokomotiv had to score three times in 40 minutes. The management immediately made two substitutions to boost attack: Roman Pavlyuchenko and Alexey Miranchuk replaced Niasse and Fernandes.
These two freshmen immediately had an impact. Miranchuk broke away up the centre and passed to Pavlyuchenko on the wing. Roma worked the ball well but produced an inaccurate strike.
When Alexander Samedov replaced Alan Kasaev on 67 minutes Lokomotiv totally locked Apollon on their half. Alas, the Cypriotes capitalized on their only opportunity. Again they caught the reckless Railwaymen on a counter-attack where Thuram received the ball at the edge of the box and rifled accurately under the crossbar settling the score at 3-0.
With this goal, the visitors secured a transfer to the Europa League group stage, but they still wanted more blood. Five minutes before the end of the game Robert passed to Lopez who netted it first touch. Lokomotiv responded with a face-saving goal by Pavlyuchenko when SuperPav successfully finished a pass from Miranchuk.
Lokomotiv - Apollon 1:4 (0:1)
Goals: Rezek, 20 (0:1). Papoulis, 51 (0:2). Thuram, 78 (0:3). Lopez, 83 (0:4). Pavlyuchenko, 85 (1:4).
Lokomotiv: Guilherme, Shishkin, Corluka, Durica, Seraskhov, Pejcinovic, Tarasov, Kasaev (Samedov, 67), Fernandes (Alexey miranchuk, 53), Maicon, Niasse (Pavlyuchenko, 53).
Apollon: Bruno Vale, Merkis, Robert, Stylianou, Joao Paulo, Gullon (Haralambous, 88), Meriem (Thuram, 64), Amdani, Sangoy, Rezek, Papoulis (Lopez, 80).
Yellow cards: Durica, 17. Merkis, 38. Stylianou, 58. Gullon, 68. Shishkin, 69. Bruno Vale, 73.
Referee: Stefan Johannesson (Sweden).
August 28. Moscow, Lokomotiv Stadium. 6 520 spectators.
